Easter Apostles

Details: 20 May 2011

As the Easter season continues, we find ourselves rapidly approaching Pentecost. Have you been reading and listening to the daily Mass readings? The disciples who met Jesus and followed Him were devastated when the King they thought had come in power had died. They were stunned when He visited them and ate with them, and afraid when He told them to tell others about Him.

The early disciples encountered Jesus Christ in their daily lives. They were ordinary people. Peter witnessed Jesus walking on the water and then, lo and behold, Jesus invited Peter to walk on the water! Peter had denied Christ three times and all of the Apostles found it hard to wait and pray even one hour with Him in the Garden of Gethsemane. Yes, they were weak and afraid.

Then they came together in the Upper Room, waiting for the Spirit. Mary was with them when the room shook with the wind (breath) of the Holy Spirit. Many amazing things happened to the Apostles as tongues of fire settled upon them. They were no longer afraid and timid.

These men finally understood the teachings of Jesus. Peter went out and preached boldly and fearlessly about His Lord and King, Jesus Christ. The apostles’ hearts were on fire with love of God and neighbor. They gave anointed witness to those in their midst. People saw the authenticity of their witness and wanted what they had found.

As the Feast of Pentecost approaches, are we praying and waiting for the coming of the Spirit? The gifts the Holy Spirit gave us at Baptism and Confirmation are for strengthening the Body of Christ. Are we using those gifts? Are we docile to what He is asking of us? Are we gathering to learn our Faith so that we are prepared to share it with others?

Jesus commanded us: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age" (Mt. 28:18-20). This message is still being proclaimed by Jesus to every Catholic—indeed, to every Christian disciple.

People today are in great need of what Jesus offers through His Church. He is the Good Shepherd seeking out His many lost sheep. He offers forgiveness of sin, redemption and eternal life. He offers Himself in the Eucharist and in relationship with us, and He offers the power of the Holy Spirit to be active in our lives.

We need to respond to Jesus’ offer. He is waiting for us. There is a vacuum in the heart of each of us made by God and for God, and until we fill it with God we will not find peace. The Christian Faithful are to give form to the world from within by their prayer, their example and their magnanimous charity. What the soul does for the body Christians do for the world. Yet, while we must be in the world, we are not to be of the world.

Have you heard where the Holy Spirit is sending you as a disciple, as an apostle? There are people in the lives of each of us who are waiting to hear about Jesus and the peace He alone can give. How do we go about sharing Christ’s love with them?

First we develop our own relationship with Jesus through prayer, Sacraments, community, and study. Then we reach out in friendship and become ready for the opportunities the Holy Spirit gives us. He will bring people to us to love, to nurture, to lead to Him. The Holy Spirit will give us the courage and the love to invite these folks into a relationship with Christ and His Church.

Be not afraid. Many are waiting for what Jesus has to offer through you.