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Fr. Larry's Column

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?


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