+ On this Tuesday within the Octave of Easter we
continue to relate the Pentecost message
with the Easter fact. The “good news” preached by the Apostles from the day
of Pentecost, is the historical fact of the resurrection to new life of Jesus
Christ – Son of God.
In
our first reading today we hear Peter on Pentecost Day telling the crowd of Israelites that God
has made both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom they crucified. He then told
them to repent and be baptized – every one of them – in the name of the risen
Lord Jesus – for the forgiveness of their sins – and they will receive the gift
of the Holy Spirit – and their entire lives will never be the same again,
here or hereafter. The vitality and persuasive power of the Holy Spirit, fresh
fallen on the Apostles was great, for three
thousand were baptized that day!
It
is up to us – who are also baptized into the Risen Jesus, with
the same baptism as those three thousand - to cling to him now because he is both seated at the right hand of his Father, but also very much alive
and present within the Church he left behind – to be energized and loved by him
– so that we, his hands and feet and heart, can go out and energize and love
others in the world around us: at least to offer our energy and love – it is still
up to them to freely accept the love of God for themselves or not!
God has delivered us from
death – and he has preserved us so that we can praise him
unceasingly!
And now the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. Alleluia!
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