By Lissy Maruthanakuzhy
Panaji, April 29, 2020: The story of the disciples in Acts 7: 17-33 is amazing. I like it. Two disciples who were imprisoned in a jail tightly guarded, is out in the temple preaching about their Master. Does it not make you wonder? Yes, it made me.
In the morning the guard opens the prison gates and go to their cell only to find it empty. Very soon he is told that the same men are preaching in the temple. Once again, they are brought to the high priest and council, without violence because “they were afraid of being stoned by the people”. Later they were flogged, and forbidden to speak of their Master, and freed.
It makes me think deeply.
These men returned to the same spot, happy with the flogging they received, spoke about the same “Master” with more vigour. “We must obey God and rather than any human authority” (Acts 17:29), they had answered the authorities.
The Master about whom they preach has the power to turn these simple men into strong and powerful orators.
A few years ago I met a group of people attending a program named “Fiat Mission”. After a two-days’ inputs and prayer sessions, they were commissioned to go to the streets and marketplaces to practice what they had learned. When they told me about this, I was apprehensive and raised my eyebrows in wonder.
After the day’s mission when they returned, I gently prodded them “How did it go? How did you do it?” They too said that they felt nervous at first. But then, the training came in handy. One would initiate a conversation with a stranger with casual enquiries: enquiring about the person, about their work and establish a relationship. And then the “Master” is brought in. “They are very happy to know about the “Master” because he came for everybody. We are afraid, but they are happy to know more about him,” they related to my amazement.
That reminded me of a gentleman who told me once, “What do you think? Jesus is not the property only of Christians. He is ours too.” I had expressed my wonder at seeing a much-used Bible (he had been reading it daily) in his study, while helping him to reorganize his study desk.
I realized that I need not fear about speaking about my Master Jesus, and the good deeds he has done for the world.
But fear often halts me.
Some years ago, I was strongly advised by the editorial team to delete a Chapter on “God” from a book suggested for publication. The book was much appreciated, “except for the last Chapter”. I held on to the Chapter “God” for some time. Then I gave in to the decision of the majority. “You must judge whether in God’s eyes it is right to listen to you and not to God” (Acts 4:20), Peter and John asked. And they obeyed God.
But I gave in. I feared human beings.
The book in question was for Teenagers; it was re printed several times with thousands of copies, and was well received by the audience. Every time I see the book, I can feel the pain in my heart for keeping “God” aside. In fact, young people are searching for God.
I see an example of faith-filled persistence in the disciples of Jesus (Acts 5:27-33).
These days we may not easily face the threat of imprisonment for our faith. What holds us back from sharing our faith is our fear of human respect or a natural reluctance or complacency. Perhaps we do can break free from these imprisonments.
Maybe we need to be convinced that Jesus has come for all. Maybe we need to know sharing our faith is a work of human encounter; not one of logical augmentation. Sometimes the most convincing “argument” anyone can offer is an authentic care and concern for someone else.
We see it much these days of pandemic.
“Encounter” means getting to know someone, and gradually sharing your life with that person. It’s the way Jesus reached out to people he encountered: by showing true concerns for them (Mt 14: 13-21) and offering them a glimpse into the reason for his joy, confidence and peace.
The encounter with Jesus helped many to repair broken relationships, healing of oneself or someone close to us, or made us realize his unfathomable love for each of us.
Can we stop for a moment, look around, and see if there is someone close to us who would need a word of encouragement?
Perhaps we need to take baby steps out of our self-made prisons of fear and lack of confidence. A casual conversation leads to another, then another and it goes on to an enlightened one because the Holy Spirit is accompanying us as he did the disciples out of the prison.