Today’s reflection was written by Mark Gates. Thanks Mark for filling in.
Happy Pentecost eve everybody!! Yes, tomorrow is that wonderful day
of days, Pentecost! Besides being one of my most favorite days, we
remember that first Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended upon the
Apostles, Mother Mary (again), and hundreds of other disciples of Christ.
Our first reading from Acts features one of the most prominent
successes of our Holy Spirit, St. Paul (formerly SAUL of Tarsus). Paul finds
himself in a precarious situation similar to that of Jesus Christ. All of the
secular governmental authorities found NO fault with St. Paul, zero! It is the
Hebrew leadership that wanted him dead.
Acts 28:16-20, 30-31, When he entered Rome, Paul was allowed to live
by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him. * Three days later he
called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had gathered he said
to them, “My brothers, although I had done nothing against our people or
our ancestral customs. *I was handed over to the Romans as a prisoner
from Jerusalem. After trying my case the Romans wanted to release me,
because they found nothing against me deserving the death penalty. But
when the Jews objected, I was obliged to appeal to Caesar, even though
I had no accusation to make against my own nation. This is the reason,
then, I have requested to see you and to speak with you, for it is on
account of the hope of Israel that I wear these chains.” * He remained for
two full years in his lodgings. He received all who came to him, and with
complete assurance and without hindrance he proclaimed the Kingdom of
God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.
**But the Holy Spirit chose Paul to preach, and what she says;
goes!! So, even though Paul is under ‘house arrest’, he continues to
preach to everyone near and all who seek him from afar.
**The Holy Spirit remains OUR advocate as well. We are
strengthened on this truth in today’s Psalm. Jesu has sent the Spirit of
Truth to all man and womankind. Oh, how tremendously beautiful it will
be to gaze upon the face of the Lord.
Psalm 11:4-7, The just will gaze on your face, O Lord.
The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD’s throne is in heaven. His eyes
behold, his searching glance is on mankind. The LORD searches the just and
the wicked; the lover of violence he hates. For the LORD is just, he loves just
deeds; the upright shall see his face. ** I will send to you the Spirit of truth,
says the Lord; he will guide you to all truth. R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: John 21:20-25, Peter turned and saw the disciple
following whom Jesus loved, the one who had also reclined upon his
chest during the supper and had said, “Master, who is the one who will
betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about
him?” Jesus said to him, “What if I want him to remain until I come?
What concern is it of yours? You follow me.” So, the word spread among
the brothers that ‘that’ disciple would not die. *But Jesus had not told him
that he would not die, just “What if I want him to remain until I come?
What concern is that of yours?”
*It is this disciple who testifies to these things and has written them, and
we know that his testimony is true. There are also many other things that
Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the
whole world would contain the books that would be written.
** Here we go, it’s ‘nitty-gritty’ time. It feels to me that the closer we get
to the crucifixion, the more some of the Apostles want to be clear
concerning the pecking order when Jesus is gone. They also can just
‘feel it’ regarding Jesus’ departure. This motley crew is so different in
style and substance and yet… still cut from the same cloth. There’s no
denying their deep love for Jesus and His Mission. They are All-In despite
any personal weakness… are we?
