The Acts of the Apostles could well be called the Acts of the Holy Spirit. The apostles who entered the jet stream of the Holy Spirit experienced a total transformation of their natural lives and entered into the realm of the exhilarating life of the Spirit. Indeed, this invigorating breath of fire that the Holy Spirit poured out at Pentecost resulted in the birth of the Church.

In the first reading,we see the extraordinary transformation in the life of St. Peter. Peter first proclaimed what God had done in Christ. Then he fearlessly condemned the authorities for what they had done, and passionately communicated what God did despite their horrific actions. The people thought of Jesus as a defeated prophet, but St. Peter confirms that God granted Jesus the most incredible gift: raising Him from the dead and fulfilling the prophesies foretold in sacred his- tory. The cross was not an accident, but fore-ordained by God (Psalm 16:8 – 12). As one writer puts it, “the cross was a window of time, allowing us to see the suffering love eternally in the heart of God.” The resurrection is the final proof that Jesus was indeed the son of God, the messiah, the chosen one. After the crucifixion we see the apostles as broken men, with dreams gone, lives shattered, cowering fearfully in the upper room. But then we witness the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, descending in His fiery glory and galvanizing the apostles into action, transforming cowards into heroes.

St. Peter, who cringed before a maid, denying Christ, now boldly challenges the highest religious authorities, who had the power to destroy him. Such was the power of Peter’s preaching the Good News that 3,000 people were converted. In the Gospel proclamation, Mary Magdalene witnessed the staggering fact of the empty tomb. Believing in the incredible truth of the resurrection, she soon met the Lord. We too encounter Him, believe in our hearts, and proclaim with our mouths the truth of the resurrection. We too will be given the same mission: “Go, tell…”. The soldiers and priests did not look for Jesus, and missed the encounter.We need to share the good news of salvation when we appropriate it. The good news is that the apostles’ experience could be ours.

Prayer: Abba Father, anoint me with the fire of the Holy Spirit, so I may joyfully and fearlessly proclaim your good news. Amen