1. When
mentioning “[T]he first book”, St Luke is reminding his readers to remember his
Story (The Gospel of Luke). He speaks to his friend “Theophilus”, which means
in Greek, “Lover of God.” The name “Theophilus” also points to us, who are called to be “Lovers of God”. The one who loves
God, knows and trusts that He will conquer our fears, and most of all, uses us
to conquer fear that continues to imprison our world. It is the Spirit that
moves the disciples of Christ to bring the Good News, and it is the Spirit that
moves you and I, as the Church, to transform our community.
2. The
number 40 is mentioned as a sign of preparation, similar to the preparation we
made before Easter. Jesus’ appearance to the disciples was His proof for them
that True Love Triumphs over fear and death.
3.
Jesus commands His disciples not to leave Jerusalem – His Father’s
promise to them in receiving the Spirit will take a short time. It is important
to note that Jesus is telling them to stay in the “City of Peace” (Hebrew
translation: Jeru, “City of”, and Salem, “Peace”), which will prepare them for
the mission and the trials to come.
a. Note: Our Lord Ascends into Heaven, which begins in Christian Tradition the First Novena to the Holy Spirit, which the disciples pray and prepare for the Father’s Promise.
4. The
disciples ask about the restoration of the Kingdom of Israel. The name of Israel is mentioned in this question – In Hebrew, “Israel” means One who
wrestles with God. This was the name God gave to Jacob who wanted His
blessing, so Jacob wrestled with an Angel. Jacob would not let go even when the
Angel broke his hip. (Genesis 32:23-33) The disciples ask the question like
they were Jacob - they want that blessing. He reminds
them that the Father has the answer. Jesus assures them to focus on preparing
for the Spirit, because they were about to wrestle with the world to bring God’s
blessings with the Good News.
a. Witnesses – Jesus tells His disciples they would be His witnesses throughout Jerusalem and throughout the world. The Greek word for “Witness” is Martys. We get the word, Martyr. Love that conquers fear is a total surrender to the Christ on the Cross.
b. As witnesses to Christ’s Love, the disciples also surrender to the work of the Spirit who chooses within community leadership to carry with them the Gospel Message. Their plans to place someone in succession to Judas would inspire them to pray together, and to choose out of 120 disciples, only two. One of these men would be called to take up the Office. The word "Office" in Greek is Episkopo - it is translated in English as Bishop, which means One who has oversight. (1 Timothy 3:1)
1. The
Feast of Pentecost, also called “The Feast of Good Fruits”, or “Harvest
Festival” was celebrated 50 days after Sabbath. (Leviticus 23:9-22) The Catholic Church, being the
daughter of the Jewish Faith, continues this celebration as we consider
ourselves connected to their Historical Celebrations. The Feast of Good Fruits
is celebrated in honoring God for allowing life to continue through the First
Born, and the First Harvest. Jewish families would offer these Gifts to God,
thanking Him for many blessings. For Catholic Christians, we continue this
practice, but we also offer our children to God to be strengthened by His
Spirit in the Sacrament of Confirmation.
The disciples will become a
symbolic reality of the 12 Sons of Israel, the new overseers of the People of
God, who carry the Message of the Good News. This is why the disciples were
told to wait together, as a community, a small parish that would become the
Church - the City of God.
a. A Mighty Wind - The rush of the Mighty Wind did not come from outside the house, but from within - the Spirit of the Lord does not have to conform to our perceptions or understanding of how the natural order works, rather, He comes to us in unexpected moments. Being in His Presence, the Spirit of God urges us to reach for His Love, which in turn will remove the fears that hold them back from proclaiming their experience of Jesus. The Spirit of God also awaken gifts, vocations, and so much more - the Christian becomes more Christ like, yet the Spirit uses the Christian to be daring, and courageous.
b. Speak in other Tongues - The Gift of Tongues is small gift by which the Christian is given the grace to learn a language or more. The Spirit also can give to His Faithful one an instant knowledge of another language to speak to person who He wants within His Community. (St Pio is a perfect of example who was known to speak to people without knowing or studying their language. Click here to see THE HEALING OF JOEY LOMANGINO)
I. When the disciples received the Spirit, they left the room to meet the crowds who have been moved by the Spirit. People from different cultures heard the Good News.
II. Here, Peter speaks on behalf of the Christian Community. He is called the Prince of the Apostles, because Christ made Him the Rock of the Church. (Matthew 16;18-20) Peter has many titles, but the most important are Cephas (Aramaic for Rock), Kephas (Greek for Bolder) - but the word closely connected to the name is translated from the Greek as Petras, which is the femine for "Bolder". It is argued by our Protestant Theologians that this would not be the word used for Peter since it would be masculine as Petros, meaning "stone". This would not be the intention of Jesus to call name Simon a "stone", so the reader must understand that the translation must go connect to the word "Cephas" as Rock, or Massive Rock. It is Peter who by the Spirit of the Lord, guides the Church as the First Pope. The word Pope is the shortened version of the Greek word, Patriarchēs, which we get the word, "Patriarch", or "Father." As our Spiritual Father, Peter's teachings brings 3,000 people to Christ through Baptism.
2. It is written that "fear came upon every soul; and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles." (Acts 2:43) This "Fear" is not one that enslaves the Christian with terror, rather it gives strength for a Christian to live for God. It is one of the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit:
a. The Gift of the Fear of the Lord - Also known as the experience of Wonder and Awe, helps us to avoid any chances we may have in offending or displeasing God. This extends to those who are close to us: Family, friends, our neighbors (It includes our enemies - are they really?), even life on this world (the pets in your care, the land, our natural surroundings, etc).
I. The Fear of the Lord helps me to recognize the value of our relationship with God and Neighbor. (Matthew 5:27-30)
II. The woman who lived a sinful life, searches for the Lord in order to change her life. (Luke 7:36-50)
III. How do you search for the Lord? How do you value life, or the life of another? Do you see those you encounter as a Gift from God? Do you see yourself as a Gift of God?
3. "And all who believed were together..." (Acts 2:44) Fear that is crippling and not salvific can always be overcome by Love... Love of Christ who brings us together. Daily, we have an opportunity to encounter Christ in our homes, our parish, and in our community. When one is trapped in sin, it is very hard to see past its lures, and to find reason to find community. It is also hard when you live in the community, but your attitude does not reflect Christ. Here is an example of a coach who pushes his team to find their worth. The Coach is acting like God, pushing us to move forward. All see the struggle to keep going, but at the end of it, they win - this is the meaning of the Passion, Death, & Resurrection of Christ - in Baptism we are promised that by moving forward to His Call, we will win. Love will conquer our fears. The Community or Parish needs to see this to believe.
I.
Read Chapter 1 & 2 of Acts of the Apostles. Answer the
following question.
1. Who would be the Person giving instructions to the Apostles?
2. What did the Angel tell the Apostles after Jesus left them?
3. What did the First Community do when they stayed in the Upper Room?
4. Who was the Successor of Judas?
5. Which people were “astounded” by the Apostles proclamation of the Good news?
6. St. Peter quoted the Prophet Joel – What did Joel write in Chapter 2 verse
17?
No comments:
Post a Comment