Acts 2:37-42

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.” And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Early on Easter Monday morning a young adult male sacker was corralling carts in the Dillons parking lot. He waved at me and hollered “Hi!” I greeted him back and then asked, “How was your weekend, Marcus?” A glorious smile spread across his face, and he replied, “I got baptized yesterday. I’m Catholic!” Wow! Clearly, he was very excited.

“Cool, Marcus,” I responded. Then I asked what his parish was. He told me, and repeated, “I got baptized yesterday” several times. Marcus was bursting with immeasurable joy.

What an example this young man offered. He may or may not have understood the deep meaning of the sacrament of baptism, but he got it. Marcus demonstrated being filled with the joy of baptism. He knew that he was a child of God. The assurance that God has provided cleansing from sin through the washing of the baptismal waters boosted Marcus’ attitude to a level of absolute giddiness. A community had claimed him and conveyed to him that he is loved and cherished, and that brought smiles to his entire being.

Overflowing with love that Monday morning Marcus had to share his good news with others. In sharing his own good news, he was sharing the Good News with his world. It was similar to what occurred in Acts 2:37-42. In that passage the crowd heard Peter tell the Good News of Jesus’ resurrection and they were greatly moved. Upon being asked what to do next, Peter instructed them to be baptized. They followed Peter’s advice, and nearly 3,000 people were baptized, Scripture tells us.

As Marcus passed the Good News on to his world the great love of God broke through the boundaries of his particular world into a broader area. In turn, other recipients became excited and told more people about their own transforming experiences. Thus, more and more people found meaning in the unfathomable love and acceptance of God and began to pass that on to others. Overwhelming grace prevailed, joy spread, the kin-dom came closer.

No, it is not totally logical. However, it is that particular Good News that we all need to hear and experience. The Good News sustains life. God continues to act. Easter still prevails. Let’s jump up and down, break out into smiles, and tell the world. Just like Marcus!

Prayer for Reflection

Acts 2:14a, 36-41
Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19
1 Peter 1:17-23
Luke 24:13-35