Baptism In The Holy Spirit - Six

The Baptism of John the Baptist Disciples

While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior of the country and came down to Ephesus where he found some disciples. He said to them, “Did you receive the holy Spirit when you became believers?” They answered him, “We have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” He said, “How were you baptized?” They replied, “With the baptism of John.” Paul then said, “John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. Altogether there were about twelve men. Acts 19:

PRAYER FOR GRACE:

Jesus my Lord, I confess to you and to all the world my need for your presence in my life. I am alone and in darkness without you. I am influenced and controlled by the many forces that surround me. Even though I struggle against them, it is sin that so easily dominates my life. Who can save me but you alone, my Lord and my God. Deliver me from the Evil One. Touch my life with that power which flows from your resurrection. Cause your Holy Spirit to be born in me anew. Prince of Peace and Lord of Glory reign now in my heart. Baptize me with your Holy Spirit and Fire. Raise me up to a New Life in you.

POINTS TO CONSIDER AS YOU PRAY:

• See how the Spirit inspires Jesus' disciples to, "Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel." This mission remains unchanged to this very day.
• As a result of our baptism, each one of us is called to be a part of this mission. How do you see yourself participating?
• Most baptized people today were baptized as infants. How would you respond to the question: "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became a believer?" Can you point to a time when the Gift of the Holy Spirit came alive in you?
• This is a new day, a new era in the life of the Church, do you have a sense that the Spirit is doing something new in our lives today?

COLLOQUY: Dear Lord ..... (here, I express the thoughts of my heart)

REVIEW OF PRAYER: Was there a time in your prayer that evoked a change in the way you were feeling?

• Were you able to picture the event in your imagination?
• Did you identify with any particular person in the passage?
• Was there anything in your prayer that touched your heart?
• Can you name the feelings you experienced?
• Did you hear the Spirit, in your mind's ear, speaking to you?
• What areas of your personal life seemed to be coming to mind as you prayed?
• Do you have a desire to return again to this passage and prayer?
• Described what you have learned.
• What questions do you now have following your prayer?

I created this Chaplet, Chaplet For the Grace of Renewal, (Baptism of the Holy Spirit) some time ago. It is intended to provide an instrument of prayer with the same goals in mind as these series of posts. The complete chaplet with texts of scripture are found in the Pages section.

Go to Chaplet page.

“I have told you this while I am with you.
The Advocate, the Holy Spirit
whom the Father will send in my name–
he will teach you everything
and remind you of all that I told you.” 

Baptism In The Holy Spirit - Five

The Conversion of Cornelius and His Household

Now in Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of the Cohort called the Italica, devout and God-fearing along with his whole household, who used to give alms generously to the Jewish people and pray to God constantly. One afternoon about three o’clock, he saw plainly in a vision an angel of God come in to him and say to him, “Cornelius.” He looked intently at him and, seized with fear, said, “What is it, sir?” He said to him, “Your prayers and almsgiving have ascended as a memorial offering before God. 

Now send some men to Joppa and summon one Simon who is called Peter. He is staying with another Simon, a tanner, who has a house by the sea.” When the angel who spoke to him had left, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from his staff, explained everything to them, and sent them to Joppa.

On the following day he entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and, falling at his feet, paid him homage. Peter, however, raised him up, saying, “Get up. I myself am also a human being.” While he conversed with him, he went in and found many people gathered together.

Peter proceeded to speak and said, “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him. You know the word [that] he sent to the Israelites as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all, what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and (in) Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree. 

This man God raised (on) the third day and granted that he be visible, not to all the people,

but to us, the witnesses chosen by God in advance, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.”

While Peter was still speaking these things, the holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the word. The circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the holy Spirit should have been poured out on the Gentiles also, for they could hear them speaking in tongues and glorifying God. Then Peter responded, Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people, who have received the holy Spirit even as we have?” He ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for a few days. Acts 10:

PRAYER FOR GRACE:

Jesus my Lord, I confess to you and to all the world my need for your presence in my life. I am alone and in darkness without you. I am influenced and controlled by the many forces that surround me. Even though I struggle against them, it is sin that so easily dominates my life. Who can save me but you alone, my Lord and my God. Deliver me from the Evil One. Touch my life with that power which flows from your resurrection. Cause your Holy Spirit to be born in me anew. Prince of Peace and Lord of Glory reign now in my heart. Baptize me with your Holy Spirit and Fire. Raise me up to a New Life in you.

POINTS TO CONSIDER AS YOU PRAY:

• Once again, see how the Spirit is causing these events to happen.
• Remember the words of Jesus before his death; " I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you. Jo:14"
• See how the Spirit is taking them beyond their expectations.
• Notice how the action of the Holy Spirit is manifest. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit produces results that are discernible. "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. Acts 1:8"
• The gift of Tongues is experienced.
• The charismatic gifts, what are they; are they experienced today? See 1 Corinthians 12:

COLLOQUY: Dear Lord ..... (here, I express the thoughts of my heart)

REVIEW OF PRAYER:

• Was there a time in your prayer that evoked a change in the way you were feeling?
• Were you able to picture the event in your imagination?
• Did you identify with any particular person in the passage?
• Was there anything in your prayer that touched your heart?
• Can you name the feelings you experienced?
• Did you hear the Spirit, in your mind's ear, speaking to you?
• What areas of your personal life seemed to be coming to mind as you prayed?
• Do you have a desire to return again to this passage and prayer?
• Described what you have learned.
• What questions do you now have following your prayer?

We generally think of Pentecost as that day the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus' disciples gathered in the upper room. But Luke, in his Acts of the Apostles, tells us that, this same outpouring of the Spirit of Pentecost, was experienced by many throughout this whole apostolic  period, as the Spirit worked to bring to life Christ' Church. We might actually sight five Pentecost experiences described by Luke.

1. The day of Pentecost with the disciples in the upper room. (Acts 2:1)
2. The baptism of the Ethiopian and the Spirit coming upon the Samaritans. (Acts 8:1)
3. The conversion of St Paul. (Acts 9:1)
4. The Gentile Pentecost and the baptism of Cornelius and family. (Acts 10:1)
5. The baptism of the disciples of John the Baptist. (Acts 19:1)

In each of these accounts, we see the effects of the Holy Spirit at work in these people. These effects are evident and clearly perceptible, to those being baptized in the Spirit, as well as those who are witnessing this extraordinary gift.

On Pentecost day: 

• Those being filled with the Holy Spirit broke out in joyful praise of God, seen and heard by everyone around them. So uninhibited and expressive was their praising, that some thought they had been drinking.  
• They experienced the charism on speaking discernible languages they had not learned, so that other could understand them.
• They showed no fear of reprisal where earlier they had been in hiding. 

The Baptism of the Ethiopian Official and the Spirit Coming Upon the Samaritans:

• The charism of the True Christian Faith comes through the Spirit filled preaching of Philip, under the direction of the Holy Spirit.
• The Samaritans had been baptized in the name of Jesus, but were yet to be baptized in the Holy Spirit.

The Conversion of St. Paul:

• Paul sees the apparition of the glorious, risen Christ.
• He hears the Lords voice speaking to him. His companions also heard his voice.
• The physical effect of temporary blindness was experienced by Paul.
• The zealot Paul became humble and docile to the direction of the Spirit.
• Paul is given his true vocation by the Spirit.
• Visions are seen by Paul and Ananias.
• The True Christian Faith is born in Paul.  

The Conversion of Cornelius and the Gentiles.

• Peter is taught of the plan of universal salvation through visions.
• Visions prepare Cornelius for Peter's coming.
• Everyone in the household is filled with the gift of the Spirit.
• The charism of Praise and Tongues was manifested.
• The gift of True Christian Faith was given to all.

The Baptism of John the Baptist Disciples:

• They had been baptized in John's baptism.
• At Paul preaching they baptized in the name of Jesus.
• When Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

At the bottom of these post, at the footer, there is an informative video discussing the history and experience of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. 

Baptism In The Holy Spirit - Four

The Baptism of St. Paul

There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” He answered, “Here I am, Lord.” The Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight and ask at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is there praying, and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, that he may regain his sight.” But Ananias replied, “Lord, I have heard from many sources about this man, what evil things he has done to your holy ones in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to imprison all who call upon your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for this man is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and Israelites, and I will show him what he will have to suffer for my name.” So Ananias went and entered the house; laying his hands on him, he said, “Saul, my brother, the Lord has sent me, Jesus who appeared to you on the way by which you came, that you may regain your sight and be filled with the holy Spirit.” Immediately things like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight. He got up and was baptized, and when he had eaten, he recovered his strength.

PRAYER FOR GRACE:

Jesus my Lord, I confess to you and to all the world my need for your presence in my life. I am alone and in darkness without you. I am influenced and controlled by the many forces that surround me. Even though I struggle against them, it is sin that so easily dominates my life. Who can save me but you alone, my Lord and my God. Deliver me from the Evil One. Touch my life with that power which flows from your resurrection. Cause your Holy Spirit to be born in me anew. Prince of Peace and Lord of Glory reign now in my heart. Baptize me with your Holy Spirit and Fire. Raise me up to a New Life in you.

POINTS TO CONSIDER AS YOU PRAY:

• The Lord hand picked the other apostles and here he is hand picking Paul of be an apostle as well; a most unexpected choice.
• One has to smile, listening to Ananias warning the Lord about his choice of Paul.
• Qualifications to be in the Lord's service may not always match those you would expected.
• Critical to this question is the Voice of the Lord, hearing his call, able to distinguish the Lord's voice among the many.
• The role of Ananias may appear small compared the great missionary role Paul is fulfill, but for the Lord's plan, no less important.
• There will be no "New Evangelization", without evangelists. Every baptized person, by the fact of their baptism, is called to evangelize.
• The plans and its strategies are the Lord's. Our first response, listen to his Voice calling.
• Lord, is there a new plan for me? "Speak Lord, your servant is listening."

COLLOQUY: Dear Lord ..... (here, I express the thoughts of my heart)

REVIEW OF PRAYER:

• Was there a time in your prayer that evoked a change in the way you were feeling?
• Were you able to picture the event in your imagination?
• Did you identify with any particular person in the passage?
• Was there anything in your prayer that touched your heart?
• Can you name the feelings you experienced?
• Did you hear the Spirit, in your mind's ear, speaking to you?
• What areas of your personal life seemed to be coming to mind as you prayed?
• Do you have a desire to return again to this passage and prayer?
• Described what you have learned.
• What questions do you now have following your prayer?

PRAYING WITH MARY ON PENTECOST

Holy Mary Mother of God, on Pentecost Day, you gathered all the friends of Jesus in that meeting room of prayer. Jesus had instructed that all must come together in prayer, to wait in trusting hope for the Promised One to come. In the mystery of God’s grace, let us gather with you now. We desire with all our hearts that the Anointing of Pentecost may come upon us once again. Pray for us dear Mary, that the Mighty Wind of God’s Breath will come and fill our house of prayer. Pray that Jesus your Son will send down upon us now, those tongues of flame, to en kindle in our hearts the fire of love and the light of faith. Pray that our tongues be freed so that we might fill this house with the praises of God. Pray O Queen of heaven that the Holy Spirit will give to our hearts a song of joy and thanksgiving for His mighty works now done in our midst. Come Holy Spirit, come. Come down upon us now. Melt our frozen hearts, reshape our distorted minds, and renew our sagging spirits with your Breath of Life. Fr. Curtin

Baptism In The Holy Spirit - Three

The Conversion of St. Paul

Now Saul, still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord, a went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, that, if he should find any men or women who belonged to the Way, he might bring them back to Jerusalem in chains. On his journey, as he was nearing Damascus, a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” He said, “Who are you, sir?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, for they heard the voice but could see no one. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him to Damascus. For three days he was unable to see, and he neither ate nor drank. 

PRAYER FOR GRACE:

Jesus my Lord, I confess to you and to all the world my need for your presence in my life. I am alone and in darkness without you. I am influenced and controlled by the many forces that surround me. Even though I struggle against them, it is sin that so easily dominates my life. Who can save me but you alone, my Lord and my God. Deliver me from the Evil One. Touch my life with that power which flows from your resurrection. Cause your Holy Spirit to be born in me anew. Prince of Peace and Lord of Glory reign now in my heart. Baptize me with your Holy Spirit and Fire. Raise me up to a New Life in you.

POINTS TO CONSIDER AS YOU PRAY:

• Saul/Paul was causing great suffering among the believers in Jesus.
• The first believers  were considered heretics, enemies of God.
• Paul's solution, destroy them. God's solution for Paul, convert him.
• Remember the text: "God does not desire the death of sinners, rather that they be converted and live." To harbor ill toward wrongdoers is not of the Spirit. 
• Even though our life may have been marred by sin, God's plan for us remains unchanged; conversion, healing and life in His Spirit.
• Is there a place in your heart that remains bound by guilt and the despair of forgiveness? Lord, let your light of mercy shine in my heart and set me free!  

COLLOQUY: Dear Lord ..... (here, I express the thoughts of my heart)

REVIEW OF PRAYER:

• Was there a time in your prayer that evoked a change in the way you were feeling?
• Were you able to picture the event in your imagination?
• Did you identify with any particular person in the passage?
• Was there anything in your prayer that touched your heart?
• Can you name the feelings you experienced?
• Did you hear the Spirit, in your mind's ear, speaking to you?
• What areas of your personal life seemed to be coming to mind as you prayed?
• Do you have a desire to return again to this passage and prayer?
• Described what you have learned.
• What questions do you now have following your prayer?

The New Evangelization

Much is written and spoken about the New Evangelization in the Church today. But what exactly is the New Evangelization? Evangelization is the proclamation of the Gospel of Christ. "Go out into the whole world and preach the Good News" Mark 16:15. It is the central mission given to the Church by Jesus.

Now at the time of the first proclaiming of gospels,  the  world was under the rule of the Romans. By conquest, with their mighty armies, they eventually ruled vast portion of the known world. To facilitate the speedy dispatching of their armies, they built a vast network of roads. (Some of which still remain today.) As excellent as these roads were, their central purpose was conquest and plunder.

But these same roads of conquest were to find a very different and unexpected purpose. It's on these same Roman roads that we find St. Paul and other of the disciples moving freely and efficiently, proclaiming the gospel to the people who lived throughout the Roman Empire. While the Romans used these roads to conquer, the disciples used the same roads to evangelize.

When we speak of the "New Evangelization", we are not speaking of a new gospel. The gospel remains the same and unchanged. What we are speaking about is a new way to evangelize, with new instruments of communication. Like the first evangelist, today's new evangelists are being directed to use the latest instruments of communication that are cutting edge in today's world. The media with its  sophisticated technologies of communication, is today's highly efficient equivalent of the Roman roads of the apostolic times. Computers and the internet have been used for many evil purposes, but they can also be used for great good. As Philip used the Roman roads upon which to evangelize, computers and the internet can be used today to spread the Good News of salvation.

Baptism In The Holy Spirit - Two

Philip and the Ethiopian.

Then the angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, “Get up and head south on the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza, the desert route.” So he got up and set out. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, that is, the queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury, who had come to Jerusalem to worship, and was returning home. Seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. The Spirit said to Philip, “Go and join up with that chariot.” Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” He replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” So he invited Philip to get in and sit with him. This was the scripture passage he was reading:

“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opened not his mouth. In (his) humiliation justice was denied him. Who will tell of his posterity? For his life is taken from the earth.”

Then the eunuch said to Philip in reply, “I beg you, about whom is the prophet saying this? About himself, or about someone else?” Then Philip opened his mouth and, beginning with this scripture passage, he proclaimed Jesus to him. As they traveled along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look, there is water. What is to prevent my being baptized?” Then he ordered the chariot to stop, and Philip and the eunuch both went down into the water, and he baptized him. When they came out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, but continued on his way rejoicing. 

Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, who went down and prayed for them, that they might receive the holy Spirit, for it had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them and they received the holy Spirit.

PRAYER FOR GRACE:

Jesus my Lord, I confess to you and to all the world my need for your presence in my life. I am alone and in darkness without you. I am influenced and controlled by the many forces that surround me. Even though I struggle against them, it is sin that so easily dominates my life. Who can save me but you alone, my Lord and my God. Deliver me from the Evil One. Touch my life with that power which flows from your resurrection. Cause your Holy Spirit to be born in me anew. Prince of Peace and Lord of Glory reign now in my heart. Baptize me with your Holy Spirit and Fire. Raise me up to a New Life in you.

POINTS TO CONSIDER AS YOU PRAY:

• The Ethiopian is a seeker. He has the scripture in his hands, seeking to understand its message for him.
• The Spirit has a plan to answer his search. (Seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened.) 
• Inside each scripture text the voice of the Spirit is speaking to us, showing us how all scripture, when the Spirit is inspiring us, will lead us to Jesus.
• “Do you understand what you are reading?” He replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?”
• Praying scripture is not scripture study, rather it is listening to the Voice of the Spirit speaking to our hearts. (Were not our hearts burning within us as He opened the scriptures to us!)
• Speak Lord, your servant is listening.

COLLOQUY: Dear Lord ..... (here, I express the thoughts of my heart)

REVIEW OF PRAYER:

• Was there a time in your prayer that evoked a change in the way you were feeling?
• Were you able to picture the event in your imagination?
• Did you identify with any particular person in the passage?
• Was there anything in your prayer that touched your heart?
• Can you name the feelings you experienced?
• Did you hear the Spirit, in your mind's ear, speaking to you?
• What areas of your personal life seemed to be coming to mind as you prayed?
• Do you have a desire to return again to this passage and prayer?
• Described what you have learned.
• What questions do you now have following your prayer?

We generally think of Pentecost as that day the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus' disciples gathered in the upper room. But Luke, in his Acts of the Apostles, tells us that, this same outpouring of the Spirit of Pentecost, was experienced by many throughout this whole apostolic  period, as the Spirit worked to bring to life Christ' Church. We might actually sight five Pentecost experiences described by Luke.

1. The day of Pentecost with the disciples in the upper room. (Acts 2:1)
2. The baptism of the Ethiopian by Philip and the Samaritans receiving the Holy Spirit. (Acts 8:)
3. The conversion of St Paul. (Acts 9:1)
4. The Gentile Pentecost and the baptism of Cornelius and family. (Acts 10:1)
5. The baptism of the disciples of John the Baptist. (Acts 19:1)

In each of these accounts, we see the effects of the Holy Spirit at work in these people. There is a twofold effect described.

• Conversion and the gift of a living, personal faith in Jesus.
• Gifting and empowering of the soul for a dynamic discipleship in Christ.

Baptism In The Holy Spirit - One

The Promise of the Spirit. Acts Ch 1:1 

In the first book, Theophilus, I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught until the day he was taken up, after giving instructions through the holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 

While meeting with them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for “the promise of the Father  about which you have heard me speak; for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the holy Spirit.”

I am beginning a series of Posts focused on Pentecost, Acts of the Apostles and Baptism In The Holy Spirit. They will be in two parts: 

1. A guide to praying Scripture and personal reflection.
2. Study notes on various aspects of Baptism in the Holy Spirit.

No one can say, "Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit."  
1 Cor. 12:3

These words by St. Paul are key to the approach we will be taking in the Posts that follow. A living vibrant faith is not a product of our own making. It is the result of the Holy Spirit working within us. As a person reads the gospels, they may be drawn to its message, impressed  by the person of Jesus, and agreeing with much of what Jesus is saying. But this is not yet "living faith". When one is drawn to the person of Jesus, with a growing desire to get to know him personally, with a growing affection for his friendship, then we would say that a true, living faith has awakened. 

It's here that we find the Holy Spirit at work in us. The Spirit draws our minds and hearts into a person-to-person communion with Jesus, showing Jesus to us in an intimate way, causing a true and deep affection to grow in us.

As with any friendship that grows deeper, one wants to be where their friend is. Presence becomes a growing desire, to be with, to see and hear their friend. This is where devotion comes into the picture. Devotions are the instruments the soul uses to come together with Jesus. Listen, talking, sharing, asking, affection, are all part of the dynamics of intimacy we know from our human relationships and so they naturally are part of devotion to Jesus. 

In John's gospel there is the account of the disciples encountering the risen Lord by the sea of Tiberias. Jesus draws Peter aside and speaks to him about the important role he is to have in the Community of the Faithful, (the Church),  that is to be leader and teacher; "... feed my lambs, feed my sheep." 

But to establish Peter's readiness for this important role, Jesus does not ask if he understands the theological and philosophical implications of his office, rather, he asks Peter, in a deeply personal and intimate way, "Peter, do you love me?" 

As we begin these meditations, this question, "Do you love me", becomes the question we will address each day.

Do you love me?

EASTER - Part Three

That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. Lk 24:13-35

Each time I read this gospel, my heart is replenished with new hope and joyful peace. It is meant for the good of everyone, but I think it speaks in a special way to the heart of a priest. Two of Jesus' disciples and friends, are on the road, leaving Jerusalem with hearts broken and hope shattered, having witnessed passion and death of Jesus. It is all over, finished, ... we had hoped but ... he is gone.

Jesus approaches and joins their journey. If ever one wondered about a divine sense of humor, just look at Jesus' playful smile and tender affection in his voice as he plays the part of one not knowing. 

(So my friends) ... “What are you discussing as you walk along?”

(Cleopus)  “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?” 

(Jesus in a voice of pretend curiosity) "What sort of things?" (Were we walking behind, would Jesus not look back at us and wink?)

(Now both are speaking, one reporting while the other adds a commentary of mournful sighs) “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him."
 

(Now reverting to voices of reporters in a tone of bewilderment) But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place. (Jesus raises his eyebrows, while hiding his smile, as they continue) Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his Body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive. (Jesus draws his head back, his eyes widen). Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see.”

 (Jesus steps forward, turns to face them, and halts their progress) How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 
(They look at Jesus with wrapped attention) Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures.

As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. (They could not even imagine what they are about to experience next)

And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. (Their hearts now fill with a rainbow of joy filled emotion.) “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?” 

So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the Eleven and those with them who were saying,

“The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them IN THE BREAKING OF BREAD.

++++++++++++++

One can easily see in this beautiful story, the Eucharist prefigured. 

• Jesus gathering us around him at table. (Table of Word & Table of Eucharist)
• The Spirit teaching us through the scriptures (Liturgy of the Word)
• Jesus true presence recognized in the breaking of bread. (Liturgy of the Eucharist)
• The faithful, nourished and renewed, in Communion with the Body of Christ, going out to announce Jesus Risen, (Our mission to Evangelize) 

Often we find ourselves in a similar state of mind as these two disciples, struggling with the effects of the crosses we are facing. As darkness overtakes our hope, we may start down the road of discouragement, withdrawing from the devotions that brought us close to the Lord. These are the times when we need the Eucharist most. 

• Be faithful to Sunday Eucharist.
• Attend a weekday Mass when possible.
• Ask Cleopus and his company to walk and pray with you.
• Be attentive to the voices of the Liturgy.
• Be expectant, the Lord will draw near.

EASTER - Part Two

“Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 

Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, 

“Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

Considerations for Your Prayer:

(+) We must not be harsh in judging Thomas for his doubting. After all, in the voice of Thomas, do we not hear the echo of our own voices, with our own doubts. Is he not seeking the same favour the others received when Jesus revealed himself to them?

(+) Is Thomas doubting what they are reporting, ever happened, or is he doubting that such a Jesus, as they describe, could possibly exist at all? What Jesus has become could not have ever entered their minds. This Jesus is the same Jesus they knew, yet now he is an entirely, New Creation, that no one was expecting. As they reach out and touch Jesus here and now, their touch crosses over from the now to eternity. They are the first to know what we all will become. 

(+) The heart of Thomas, together with the others, has just undergone a crushing blow from the hammer of death, wielded by the hand of Satan. Every blow suffer by Jesus, smashed to pieces the infant hope they held in Jesus. Consider your own heart, what blows are you experiencing at this time?

(+) Doubt is the dying lifeblood of hope, draining out of a heart wounded and broken by the power of evil. Risen Saviour, heal our hearts, restore in us the Hope we have lost. Let us hear again your Voice calling:  “Peace be with you.” … “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, … believe (again).”