If you have been reading the Acts of the Apostles (again) presented during the Easter season daily liturgical readings, I trust you are gaining a deeper awareness of God's presence in the lives of the early Church leaders.  The last few selections make clear how God was working through the determination and excitement of Jesus' disciples and those who joined them.  

What does this awareness bring to us?  First, we have to remind ourselves that these readings are not new.  The Church regularly presents them to us for our post-Easter reflection and prayer.  But there is change:  not in the texts but in ourselves.  You and I, the readers and hearers of these events recorded by St. Luke, are the treasury of change.  Most of us know that we are different today when compared to who we were last year, or the year before, or event the year before that year.  Hopefully we have grown.  Hopefully we are more aware of our personal need to strengthen our own sanctity or to amend our life's journey to God's will if that is needed.

In times of need God has helped his people.  Today's reading is a short account of God's actions in the lives of the chosen people.  He was faithful to his promises expressed in the writings of prophets, the psalmist and the teachings of his Son, Jesus.  As we review the Evangelists account of some major interventions in history, today I encourage you to look backwards at your life.  Can you recall moments when you have recognized something good has occurred in your life?  How numerous have been the times you you said or thought "Wow!  I am truly a lucky person"?  A serious question should be asked:  "How often has God blessed me?"  Just think over the last month of your life.  Were there moments when goodness come into your life?  How many moments do you ascribe to "happenstance"?  Stop and consider: "God has stepped into my life again.  How blessed I am ... because I know God does take care of me."