+ We recall today that our first reading remains narrative about
post-Pentecost
events: and so today we see Paul going down to Ephesus. Here we have the
classic outline of apostolic ministry presented: ask a leading question: did you receive the Spirit when you became
believers? The classic answer among the worldly is: we have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit. Well then, how were you baptized? With the baptism of
John (an incomplete and non-salvific baptism), although it is a start for
his is a baptism of repentance, but
for those baptized in the name of the
Lord Jesus a whole new world opens and a transfigured person becomes a child of God and heir of heaven.
We then see Paul baptizing
about a dozen of the Ephesians in the name of the Lord Jesus (and his Father
and their Spirit) and the Spirit rushes upon them and they speak in tongues and prophesy and they begin a brand-new chapter in
their lives: and the Christian community is firmly established there.
In the gospel passage, now
pre-Pentecost, and even pre-Passion, Jesus says to his Apostles you may think everything is clear to you now
about me and my mission; but wait, shortly you will be thrown into chaos and
confusion – but take heart I have overcome all chaos and confusion: I have
overcome the whole world: and one day when the Spirit finally comes – you will
truly know the entire story – and you will rejoice and you will be my witnesses
about it to the ends of the earth.
We are witnesses in our own
right to the real presence of Jesus – as he comes to us in the depths of our
hearts in silence, as he comes in the Scriptures, as he comes in the Eucharist,
as he comes in good deeds done for love of him!
May we always seek God, by
seeking what he seeks: the poor, the
orphaned, the hungry and the forsaken! And may God bless us all and fill us
with his Holy Spirit!
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