As we read in today's excerpt from the Acts of the Apostles, the history of the early Church was much like the history of the Church in many other ages: there was persecution while at the same time there was growth. Indeed, persecution provided the occasion for further growth. Thus the persecution in Jerusalem scattered the Christians from Jerusalem. As they went throughout Judea and Samaria, they brought with them their new faith, a faith characterized by the hope and joy which the resurrection of Jesus had brought. Before the Ascension, Jesus had already told the Apostles that they were to be witnesses to Him in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. The persecution in Jerusalem started what became a world-wide expansion of the Church.

What is true of the Church as a body is true also of the individual Christian. Like any other human being on earth, Christians will face difficulties in life. Meditating on the Passion and Death of Jesus helps us to face these difficulties, especially when there is a question of serious suffering. But the Passion becomes the Resurrection: suffering accepted in faith will engender hope and peace.