Scripture for
meditation: Acts 2:4, 12-14
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began
to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And all were
amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others
mocked, saying, “They are filled with new wine.” But Peter, standing with the
eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell
in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.”
Scripture for
reflection: Mark15:70-72
A little later the bystanders said to Peter once more, “You
are certainly one of them! You are a Galilean, are you not?” He began to curse
and to swear, “I do not even know the man you are talking about!” Just then a second
cockcrow was heard and Peter recalled the prediction Jesus had made to him, “Before
the cock crows twice you will deny me three times.” He broke down and began to
weep.
In the Navarre
Bible Commentaries for Acts of the Apostles, we are told: Even as the
Church takes its first steps St. Peter can be seen to occupy the position of
main spokesman… In his commentaries St. John Chrysostom draws attention to the
change worked in Peter by the Holy Spirit: “Listen to him preach and argue so
boldly, who shortly before had trembled at the word of a servant girl! This
boldness is a significant proof of the resurrection of his Master: Peter
preaches to men who mock and laugh at his enthusiasm… Calumny (‘they are filled
with new wine’) does not deter the Apostles; sarcasm does not undermine their
courage, for the coming of the Holy Spirit has made new men of them, men who
can put up with every kind of human test. When the Holy Spirit enters into
hearts he does so to elevate their affections and to change earthly souls,
souls of clay, into chosen souls, people of real courage…. Look at the harmony
that exists among the Apostles. See how they allow Peter to speak on behalf of
them all. Peter raises his voice and speaks to the people with full assurance.
That is the kind of courage a man has when he is the instrument of the Holy
Spirit….Just as a burning coal does not lose its heat when it falls on a
haystack but instead is enabled to release its heat, so Peter, now that he is
in contact with the life-giving spirit, spreads his inner fire to those around
him” (Homily on Acts, 4 as taken from The
Acts of the Apostles, The Navarre Bible, Four Courts Press, 1992).
Prayer to the Holy
Spirit:
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and
kindle 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. Let us pray: O God, who by
the light of your Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of your faithful, grant
that by that same Holy Spirit, we may be truly wise, and ever rejoice in his
consolations, through the same Christ the Lord, amen.
My thoughts: I really love St. Peter. He reminds me so much
of me (and maybe you too). He would speak before thinking, act before reasoning,
run in the face of opposition, and love Jesus with all his heart. I find so
much consolation in St. Peter, because, despite all his short-comings, Jesus
chose him to head the Church. He knew that once the Holy Spirit filled Peter
with the power and grace from God on high, he would be unstoppable. This
passage from the reading for Pentecost shows us how right Jesus was. The same
fearful Peter now takes his rightful position as Christ’s spokesman for the
Church, and boldly begins to preach to the people. No fear is found in him.
Fortified by the power now residing in him, he can march forward to begin the
task Jesus gave him. Peter is every man and woman who prays to God for
strength, opens himself up to the Holy Spirit, receives the graces from on high
and allows himself or herself to become brave and bold. We can all be St.
Peter, and the world needs us to be St. Peter. First, we need prayer; then,
openness; then, courage to say “yes” to the Spirit; then, action. A second lesson for us here is to see Peter
as the head of the Church, and to recognize that headship in our Pope. When others ask Catholics why we just don’t
change rules or come up with teachings that fit those of society, why we adhere
to the Pope and not to our own judgments, let us direct them to this point. The
Catholic Church has always, and will always believe that God sends his Holy
Spirit to instruct our Pope to lead us in the right direction. He has councils and advisors, and listens to all sides of all arguments. In the end, however, he has the guidance of God to make the final decision. We do not need to waste endless hours angrily
arguing about how the Church is wrong on socially acceptable ideas. We need
only remind others that we are different. We answer to a Higher Authority, and
we always will.
Our prayer to God:
Today, let us reflect on the power God has given to each of us to speak
boldly and proudly about our faith. If we have fallen into the habit of
criticizing priests, the Church, the Pope, why not give it up for today and
just be thankful we have priests, the Church and the Pope. Let us pray for our
priests, the Church and the Pope so that they can be filled with the Holy
Spirit and renew the face of the earth. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMiUiHiWyvc
No comments:
Post a Comment