Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Alleluia, Christ is risen! As the season of resurrection continues, we are reminded through today’s readings that God is Trinity. The readings affirm our belief in God who sent us Jesus and empowers us with the Holy Spirit us to let God’s way be known among all the nations.
Today's gospel reading reminds us of the essential ministry of Christ. The Father sent His only Son, true light, to bring salvation to humanity. Jesus promises eternal life for all those who believe in Him and the one who sent Him. Jesus was sent to us to show us the way and it is very important to believe in Him. Yet, Jesus asserts that belief is best understood as observing the words that he has taught. This “word being lived” is what the reading from Acts places before us. Today’s reading starts there, “The word of God continues to spread and grow.” (Acts 12:24) Like any relationship in which we participate, we must do more than say, I love you. We must live in a way that reflects that love.
The early Christian community knew deeply of God’s love for them. Their experience of that love caused them to “fast and pray”. The early communities experience was empowered by the Spirit. It was the same Spirit that forced the Apostles out of the locked upper room. As they laid hands on Barnabas and Saul, they empowered them to carry that Spirit out to the nations.
As Christians, we too have been empowered by that same Spirit. We too are called to radically live the gospel in our lives. The Holy Spirit is often sending us forth. Most times the Spirits’ push is gentle and at our backs, at other times, its’ pull is with unmistakable intensity. Let us reflect today on how the Spirit has empowered us. Contemplate how the Spirit is directing us to witness to the resurrection?
"Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth. Amen. Alleluia!"
-Michael Montgomery