Bold Faith in the Public Square and Today’s Workplace Evangelization
Peter Buckley continues his Acts of the Apostles series with Mark O'Donnell, moving into chapters 3 and 4 — Peter and John healing the crippled beggar, preaching to the Sanhedrin, and Barnabas's act of radical generosity. Mark argues that workplace evangelization is the modern equivalent of those miracles: mastering your craft, witnessing through holiness over years rather than arguments, and making real "ventures of faith" with your time, money, and reputation.
Notes
- Acts 3-4 picks up after Pentecost: Peter and John heal a man crippled from birth at the temple gate, then face the Sanhedrin. Mark frames this as the template for workplace witness — most of us won't work physical miracles, but we can cure spiritual infirmities in colleagues.
- Step one of becoming "incredible" in the workplace is mastery of craft. Being genuinely good at your job earns the credibility ("currency") that makes spiritual witness possible — otherwise you're just a spiritual talking head.
- What separates the Christian professional from the merely ambitious is intention. The test shows up in small moments — when you're tempted to lie, cheat, or cut corners and you resist for Christ's sake, not for career reasons.
- Evangelization at work is slow. Two or three years with a colleague is enormous time; if you're striving to be holy during it, you can be a life-changing influence. Books and social media won't do this work — coworkers will.
- Peter's speech to the Sanhedrin lands because of intimacy with Jesus, not eloquence. Mark's prescription: meditate on Scripture frequently so the words sink in, then live them — that's what produces convincing testimony at work.
- After being released, the apostles return to community, pray together, and receive a "second Pentecost." The lesson for working professionals: don't go it alone — join or create men's groups, Exodus 90 groups, parish communities that strengthen perseverance.
- Barnabas selling his land is Mark's recurring image of a true "venture of faith" — invoking St. John Henry Newman's sermon by that name. The challenge: make analogous ventures with your own money, time, and professional reputation, trusting that Christ has promised the Church will not fail.
- Examine where you're imitating the apostles' boldness — in preaching, generosity, and willingness to suffer for the Name — in concrete workplace moments. Whether you're at Dunkin Donuts, driving a bread truck, or giving a conference talk, that's the place God has put you to carry out the mission.