Wait for the Promise
In the first reading (Acts 1:1-11) of last Sunday’s Feast of the
Ascension, Luke refers to his first book which,
of course, is the Gospel according to Luke. He tells
us that “I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught
until the day he was taken up, after giving
instructions through the Holy Spirit to the Apostles
whom he had chosen.”
Luke reminds us that Jesus appeared to many of
them during 40 days and continued to speak about
the Kingdom of God.
How many? Mark Walker
in his booklet “The Bible Made Easy,” tells us that
Jesus appeared to 517: Mary Magdalene
(Jn.20:10-18), the two disciples on their way to
Emmaus (Lk.24:13-31), the disciples without
Thomas and then with Thomas (Jn.20:19-24;
25-29), at least five hundred people in Galilee
(1Cor.15:6), James (1Cor.15:7), Stephen
(Acts.7:55), and Paul (lCo.:15:8). Count them,
if you wish: (1+2+11+500+1+1=517).
Luke includes an important message of the Lord in
the text mentioned above (Acts 1:1-10), namely to
“Wait for the promise of the Father.” What is this
“Promise?” It is the “Promise” to send the
Holy Spirit. That is the “Promise Fulfilled” which
we are celebrating this weekend: Pentecost. This is
the same Spirit we received at Baptism.
Our Lord concluded his
“Promise” message by giving us a
two-fold reason for sending us
the Holy Spirit. He said, “But you
will receive
power when the Holy Spirit comes
upon you, and you will be my
witnesses in Jerusalem.”
Reflection: How am I using the
power of the Holy spirit in my
witness to that part of the world I live in?
