April 11, 2026 // Saturday in the Octave of Easter
Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s First Reading: Acts 4:13-21
Reflect on the Word //
I stood in a very long and slow airport security line, tired, anxious, and determined to not engage in conversation. When a man behind me inquired about my destination and purpose of travel, I replied tersely, “Omaha, for work.” But he persisted, “What do you do for work?” There it was, the Holy Spirit’s nudge!
“I’m Catholic. I speak and write about Jesus.” His eyes lit up as he described recently entering a Catholic Church for the first time: “I saw something round and white in a gold stand on the altar. I can’t stop thinking about the peace I felt. What was that?” I eagerly replied, “What you described is actually a Who; His name is Jesus and you can find Him . . .” The line was moving too fast to say much more, so I prayed for him as I walked to my gate, determined to speak about Jesus more willingly.
In today’s First Reading we see Peter and John, alive in the Pentecost power of the Spirit, courageously speaking and healing in the Name of Jesus. Their fearlessness and confidence both astonish and concern the Jewish leaders, who thought Jesus’ Death had ended His influence. As men who have been with Jesus, these Apostles aren’t simply keeping the memory of Jesus alive. Instead, the Risen Jesus is continuing to act through them. Although the Sanhedrin threatens punishment, it is impossible for the Apostles not to speak about what they have seen and heard as companions and eyewitnesses to Jesus (see Acts 4:20). The Lord wants to do the same through me, just like He prompted me to do at the airport. And He wants to do the same through you.
What might be holding you back from speaking about Jesus? Rather than it feeling like an inconvenience or impossibility, may we be filled with power from on High that makes it impossible not to speak about what we have seen and heard!
Relate to the Lord // Talk about Jesus today. Whether to a friend or stranger, allow the Holy Spirit to bring His Name and your testimony to your lips.
Debra Herbeck is a Jewish convert to the Church who serves extensively in youth and women’s ministry. She directs Pine Hills Girls Camp (for 34 years), and is the Founder and Director of Be Love Revolution, a ministry for high school girls. Find her books here. She and her husband have four children and eight grandchildren. She is the author of Blessed Conversations: Misericordia. Find out more about her here.
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