Our first scripture is from Acts 2:14, 22-33 instead of the Old Testament. Apostle Peter is boldly proclaiming of the deeds and eventual execution of Jesus. He and all of the apostles have been breathed on by Jesus Himself (Last week’s Gospel) and told to receive the Holy Spirit. The apostles are now able to also proclaim boldly, when just previously they were cowering, afraid in an upper room.
This occasion happens during the ‘Jewish’ festival of Pentecost a festival of the giving of the Torah to the Jews on Mt. Sinai. This was one of the 3 ‘major feasts that Jewish folks celebrated.
These proclamations also occur immediately after the apostles were accused of being drunk (at 9am). That’s what happens when your life is taken over by the Holy Spirit, you are no longer in control. It’s scary, I know, but also Oh-so beautiful.
In what seems to me to be a last-ditch effort to convict and simultaneously convince those people of the day, of Christ’s Divinity, Peter reminds everyone of King David’s humanity (“He lived, he died, his bones are still with us”). Whether intentionally or through the pressure from the leaders, these people refused to see Jesus’ Divinity. They then ‘chose’ to hang Him on a tree.
Led by Peter and Holy Boldness, the aposles proclaim the name and life of Jesus Christ.! They do so with complete selfless abandonment. Praise GOD.!!
**IN our second reading 1Peter 1:17-21, we again hear from Peter. This time he is telling us as gently as he can, two truths or mysteries of our faith. First, if a person calls God, Father, then that person is reminded to always behave as though God were your Father. You don’t want to disobey, disappoint, or embarrass the Father or yourself. To help you behave worthily, remember at all times the price of your Salvation, the Blood of the Lamb. The torture of Jesus is a sure sign of how mindlessly cruel and blood-drunk society can be. Let us not let it be in vain.
**The Gospel of the day is a recounting of the road to Emmaus. We hear this scripture from Luke 24:13-35, often this time of year. John C., our Saturday writer, has a motorcycle touring business called Emmaus MotoTours. For me John’s company (his hobby really) is all about the journey, the open road & the fellowship. That sure sounds like the road to Emmaus.
Also, (not to be political) Emmaus is a story of “Promises made, Promises kept”. Jesus promised everyone that He would rise from the dead, He told Mary Magdalene to tell the apostles to go ahead to Galilea, He promised that He would be with us always!
In addition: Jesus joins the disciples walking to Emmaus quietly at first. Then He slyly inquires of them their own understanding of the events in Jerusalem. Next, Jesus breaks open the Word, the scriptures, starting all the way back to Moses and through the prophets. In Emmaus our traveler’s hearts were on fire (Holy Spirit) and they begged Jesus to stay. Jesus stays, sits down to eat, blesses the bread then broke it and allowed Himself to be revealed. That sounds like a Catholic Mass. First, we break open the word, then we break open the bread, lastly the True Presence of Jesus is made clear to us.
What a huge day we have today in scripture. Everyone is here, the Father, Jesus the Christ and the Holy Spirit. It Is A lot! This week spend your quiet time being immersed in our Blessed Trinity. Let the graces of God flow into you… Joy, Joy, Joy,,, Mark “G”
