Blessed are they who put their trust in God. In today's first reading we see Peter and John, after being interrogated and held by the leaders, now released and returned to the community. As they recount all that has happened to them the community burst forth into prayer. They recognize the forces plotting against them and they ask God for strength. As they prayed they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to proclaim the word of God boldly. We see many forces of evil in our world today. We know that people still suffer for their faith. We admire those who in spite of suffering and persecution have the strength to proclaim their beliefs openly. We are aware too of the challenges that face us as Christians. Today let us pray for ourselves that we may have something of the faith and courage of the first Apostles, that we may be able to speak our truth openly and stand up for what is just and true.

Let us pray for leaders that some like Nicodemus may be able to leave the darkness behind and have the courage to walk into the light even if the first steps are taken in secret and in fear. Once the search for truth begins and where there is openess, Christ will lead us like Nicodemus to a spiritual rebirth.