Year A: Third Sunday of Easter

First Reading: Acts 2: 14, 22-28

The First reading is again taken from the Acts of the Apostles and shows the effect that the Holy Spirit had on the disciples of Jesus. Of the many disciples, twelve had been chosen to be apostles - that is to go out and continue the work of proclaiming the Good News.

The effect of the death and the resurrection of Jesus had such an effect on the lives of the disciples that even the words of Scripture which they had known and loved for years suddenly became charged with new significance.

In his speech to those around him, Peter quotes from one of the psalms (15/ 16) - which rejoices in the fact that God protects his Beloved from the decay of death. As Peter points out - David is dead and buried - but Jesus, one of his descendants has been freed from the tomb. Not only that, but He has been raised to the heights of heaven, receiving from the Father the Holy Spirit who, as He promised, He has now outpoured on His friends.

The words were to have a powerful effect on his listeners - many were converted that day to belief in Jesus as the Son of God - crucified - dead - and buried. - but also now gloriously and eternally alive.

We have lost something of the power of those words in our day - perhaps we have lived with them too long. Like the disciples, maybe we need to invite the Spirit into our minds and hearts - so that we, like them, look at familiar words and find them to be charged with new power - new insights into the great things that God does for His people.

 What does it mean for me?

When have words from Scripture seemed to leap off the page and strike you in a new way? What effect did they have on you?

Text © 2007 Wellspring

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