Today’s readings: Click on today’s date at http://www.usccb.org/bible/
Pentecost prequel
Monday, April 6, 2015
Monday of the First Week of Easter
Matthew 28:8, Acts 2:32-33
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed … God raised this Jesus; of this we are all witnesses. Exalted at the right hand of God, he poured forth the promise of the Holy Spirit that he received from the Father.
In fifty days we’ll celebrate Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit. In the readings of the Church we celebrate it today as well. Jesus is risen. The Holy Spirit rests in and with Jesus. His physical body has been raised into a spiritual body. The stone was not removed from Jesus’ tomb to release him but for his disciples to see inside that he was not there.
And we do see. For 49 days we celebrate this seeing, and then suddenly the wind blows, the fire breathes life onto us, and our seeing turns to shouting. How can we keep this joy to ourselves? In every language it’s the same. Jesus is risen!
In a memorable, memorizable passage Paul teaches us the way of joy: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit’s fire” (1 Thessalonians 5).
Do I dare to eat a peach and proclaim the goodness of the Lord? Can I pray with my whole life? There are one thousands gifts to be thankful for, and that’s just the tip of it all. Do not put out the Spirit’s fire. No firemen needed at the top of my head.
Whatever I see and hear, touch and smell, feel and think and sing, it is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent. Praiseworthy. It is a gift from the heart of God. Think on these things during these fine days at the start of spring.
There in the ground your body lay, light of the world by darkness slain; then bursting forth in glorious day, up from the grave you rose again! And as you stand in victory, sin’s curse has lost its grip on me; for I am yours and you are mine – bought with the precious blood of Christ. No guilt in life, no fear in death – this is the power of Christ in me; From life’s first cry to final breath, you command my destiny. No power of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from your hand; till you return or call me home—here in the power of Christ I’ll stand. (revised verses from In Christ Alone)
http://www.christiancounselingservice.com/archived_devotions.php?article_id=1382
