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April 22, 2023I have long enjoyed the comforting transition from working our way through the prophetic longing for Christ that we hear in the Lenten readings to the bold proclamation of Jesus Christ Crucified and Resurrected that we hear from the Apostles during the Easter Season. Having passed through the shadow of the Cross and reflected on the pain, confusion, and fear that they experienced during Jesus’ Passion, we now get to glory with them in proclaiming our redemption, won for us by Our Lord. This week’s first reading from the Acts of the Apostles always particularly strikes me as excellent preparation for Pentecost.
As he does elsewhere in the Acts of the Apostles, Peter gets up in the midst of a crowd and preaches on who Jesus is and how we are saved by His Name. But in this instance he points out not just the glory that Jesus promises us, but also takes a moment to recognize the folly of man. He tells the assembled crowd that God sent His Son in to the world to save us, but they, in turn, killed Him. It’s not exactly the way you’d think to win over a crowd hearing you for the first time. But Peter says this as a man who has himself betrayed Jesus, and so he speaks to them as one imperfect, fallen human being to another. Peter’s witness to Jesus Christ is made powerful by the fact that he fell and then was welcomed back by Jesus in spite of his obvious weakness. He has gained credibility by being able to show how Jesus has changed his life, and now he is inviting people into something that he has experienced himself.
What are the failures and weaknesses of your life that have been transformed by Our Lord? If you are still wrestling with them, is it because Jesus is gradually bringing you through the healing process? Or perhaps shame has kept you from surrendering weakness to the Lord? When we waver and are tempted to stay in our sin and weakness, we should listen to the words of St. Peter who boldly proclaims that Jesus received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father, and now He pours Him forth on His people. This Easter season is a time of rejoicing and reveling in what Jesus has done for us, but it is also a time when we prepare for Pentecost, so that once we are healed, strengthened, and renewed, we may go forth and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Crucified and Risen.
Prayers always,
Fr. McC
