For eight days the Church celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead! On this Tuesday within the Octave in the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles we hear the continuation of St. Peter's Pentecost sermon. We turn to the upcoming celebration of Pentecost as we are celebrating the Easter Day because the two are intimately linked.
The Death and Resurrection of Jesus gained the merits and grace – Pentecost inaugurated and initiated the application of the merits and the grace – the mercy and action of the Gift of the Father and the Son: the Holy Spirit.
Today, Peter, point blank tells the Jewish people that they crucified Jesus the Lord and Christ! And they were cut to the heart. "What are we to do?" they cried out to Peter and his brother apostles. Peter replied: "Repent and be baptized, every one of you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins: and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call!
And three thousand accepted Peter's message, were baptized and added to the very first community of faith: the infant Catholic Church: on the first day of its existence!
In the gospel passage we see Jesus revealing himself as Risen Lord to Mary Magdalene, who recognizes him when he calls her by name! Jesus likewise – as he called the Jewish nation, also calls the Gentiles, calls us by our names – and it is in the hearing of his words and the breaking of the bread that we most assuredly recognize him.
Jesus is the Day of Resurrection! Jesus is the Light of the world! Jesus is our Hope and Resurrection! We hear you Jesus, we see you Jesus! We are glad and we rejoice! Alleluia!
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