“…a Pharisee named Gamaliel told the Sanhedrin to keep away from the apostles and let them alone…lest you even be found to fight against God…the Sanhedrin agreed…and called for the apostles and, having them beaten…they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus and let them go.” (Acts 5: 34-42, from the first reading at today’s Second Week of Easter Mass.)
The apostles continued to preach the Good News which brought punishment and death. How did they continue their journey for Christ knowing the probable outcome? The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit may have been breathed onto the apostles by Christ or came in the form of tongues of fire. It does not matter the manner they received the Holy Spirit, but rather what they did with the courage gained from the Holy Spirit.
Pray for a safe and blessed weekend for all. Pray for our faculty and staff on retreat today. Pray for courage to spread the Good News. “Wait for the Lord, take courage; be stouthearted, wait for the Lord!” (Psalm 27: 14 from the Responsorial Psalm at today’s mass.) St. John Berchmans, pray for us. St. Ignatius Loyola, pray for us.
When we live in communion with God’s Spirit, we can only be witnesses, because wherever we go and whomever we meet, God’s Spirit will manifest itself through us. Henri Nouwen, Bread for the Journey
Today’s Ignatian Thought is from St. John’s Jesuit’s Pastoral Ministries leader, Mrs. Kim Hall
