Readings:
Acts 2:14, 22–33
Matthew 28:8–15
Reflection:
In a time marked by uncertainty, disinformation, and global unrest, the messages of Acts 2:14, 22–33 and Matthew 28:8–15 speak with startling relevance. These passages offer a challenge and a call to contemporary believers: to be witnesses to the truth, even when lies are louder; to proclaim hope, even when despair dominates the headlines; and to believe in the power of resurrection, not just as a past miracle, but as a present force for transformation.
In Acts 2, we find Peter, newly emboldened by the Holy Spirit, standing to declare the truth about Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. He speaks not to strangers, but to his own people—people who had witnessed the same events but were unsure of what they meant. Peter tells them that Jesus, whom they crucified, was raised by God and is now exalted. This is not just a spiritual statement; it’s a public, political, and deeply personal proclamation. Peter is saying: What you saw was real. The resurrection happened. And it changes everything.
In Matthew 28, the women at the tomb are the first to receive the news of Jesus’ resurrection. Their joy is immediate, but so is the opposition. Even as they rush to share this hope-filled truth, the religious leaders conspire to suppress it. They bribe the guards and manufacture a lie—a cover-up that continues “to this day,” as Matthew puts it.
These passages reveal an eternal pattern: the truth of God is often met with resistance. Lies can be more convenient, especially when they protect power or maintain the status quo. And those who dare to speak the truth—like Peter, or the women at the tomb—do so at personal risk.
This dynamic resonates powerfully with today’s world.
Globally, we are living in what many have called a “post-truth” era, where misinformation spreads faster than facts. From political propaganda to manipulated media, the line between truth and falsehood is increasingly blurred. The war in Ukraine, for example, is not only a military conflict but also a battle of narratives. Climate change continues to be denied or downplayed in some circles, despite overwhelming scientific evidence. Even in democratic societies, trust in institutions is eroding, and truth itself feels endangered.
Locally, we experience similar tensions. In many communities, people are divided not just by ideology, but by the information they consume. Social media algorithms often create echo chambers, reinforcing biases rather than encouraging dialogue. At the same time, economic disparities, racial injustice, and the lingering effects of the pandemic reveal systems that are broken systems that some would rather hide than confront.
In such a context, the message of resurrection is both radical and essential.
The resurrection is not just about life after death; it’s about the inbreaking of God’s justice and mercy into the here and now. It declares that oppression does not have the final word. It tells us that truth matters—that lies will ultimately be exposed, and that hope can rise from even the darkest places.
Peter’s speech in Acts is an example of how the Church is called to respond. He does not water down the message. He does not offer platitudes. He names what happened, calls out injustice, and points to the power of God to redeem it. He is a witness—not just of the resurrection, but of its implications.
We are called to do the same.
Being witnesses today might look like challenging harmful narratives in our communities. It might mean advocating for the marginalized, protecting the environment, or standing up against racism and violence. It could be as personal as choosing to speak truth in a workplace that rewards silence, or as communal as a church taking a stand on issues of justice.
But being a witness also means embodying hope. Just as the women ran from the tomb “with fear and great joy,” we, too, can live with a mixture of trembling and trust. The world is broken, yes—but resurrection power is at work. Every act of love, every commitment to truth, every small decision to resist cynicism and choose hope is a reflection of that Easter morning.
The story in Matthew reminds us that not everyone will believe. Some will choose the easier narrative. Power, after all, often fears truth. But we are not responsible for the outcomes—only for our witness.
As we reflect on these scriptures in the light of our world today, the call is clear: to be Easter people in a Good Friday world. To speak truth in love. To resist the temptation of indifference. And to believe that even in the midst of lies and death, God is still raising up life.
Michael Schiano has been a member of St. Brigid’s parish since 1990. As a parish member he has served on the Parish Pastoral Council, Liturgy Committee, Bereavement Team and is a member of the Passionist Companions. He has been an educator in the Archdiocese and has held positions in middle management and executive leadership positions. He currently works in Aged Care in the roles of Pastoral Care Co-Ordinator and Chaplaincy at Brigidine House, Randwick; St. Anne’s Hunters Hill; Pastoral Care Officer at Calvary Ryde.