In the Face of Truth

We are still basking in the glow of the Resurrection and already the Church is reminding us of our mission. The Resurrection is to be shared with everyone, not kept as ‘the best kept secret’ from our neighbors. This is one reason why we greet everyone with Christ is Risen until the Feast of Ascension. It is evangelism as much as a greeting.

In those days, Peter said to the people, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, every one whom the Lord our God calls to him.” And he testified with many other words and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And fear came upon every soul; and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.

Acts 2:38-43

After having experienced the Passion of Christ and witnessed His glorious resurrection, Saint Peter couldn’t contain himself. The result of his joy in the resurrected Lord was that thousands were introduced to Christ and were baptized. Of course, he had the power of the Holy Spirit.

When we are baptized and/or Chrismated into the Church we also receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit completes what is lacking in us, not just for our salvation, but for salvation of those around us. We may not all be called to the type of evangelism of Saint Peter, but we are all called to share the joy and truth of the resurrection with our friends.

Truth has a way of rising to the surface. Despite the many naysayers of our day, the truth of the resurrection is contagious. Everyone wants something that will comfort them from the “crooked generation” we find ourselves in.

I’m here to tell you, ONLY Christ and ONLY the Orthodox Church possesses what is needed to comfort those around us. Money will not comfort them. Prestige and power will not comfort them. Surely, earthly passions will not comfort them. ONLY Christ will comfort them, but how?

The key to comfort in our crooked generation is the found in today’s reading from Acts. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and the prayers.”

Put in today’s language. “They dedicated themselves to the life and teachings of the Church. They dedicated themselves to Holy Communion.” Holy Communion was the final act Christ had with His Disciples before His Passion. It was the first act He had with them after His resurrection.

Holy Communion, the actual mystical union of God with humanity is the ONLY source of peace. That’s the truth, take it or leave it. If you know of anyone who needs peace, share that truth with them, and they will find peace. When they find peace, they will be baptized and/or chrismated.

They will only experience the joy of this truth if we share it with joy. If we are not dedicated to the same life and teachings as Saint Peter, our witness will not have the same result. People will look at us and see our hypocrisy. We cannot teach peace and joy if we do not have peace and joy.

As I have written before, not everyone is called to ‘public’ evangelism. The Church must sanction and send us, but we are all called to what I call ‘witness’ evangelism. When people ‘witness’ the joy in our life, they will ask what the source is of that joy. When we share the truth of the resurrection as the source, then it all goes ‘up’ from there.

If you think you are called to a more ‘public’ form of evangelism, speak with your spiritual father. He will guide you and help you understand your calling. If God is calling you, then you will learn to work within the parameters of the Church, just like Saint Peter and the Apostles.

Nobody is a ‘free agent’ when it comes to evangelism, but everyone is called to share the truth with those around them. Between those sent by the Church to preach publicly and those who share the truth privately with friends, thousands will come to Christ because Christ is Risen!