Philip and James followed Jesus for years but abandoned Him in His hour of need (Mk 14:50). Even after seeing the risen Jesus on several occasions (see 1 Cor 15:7), they remained locked up because of the weakness of their faith (Jn 20:26). Eventually, they strongly believed in Jesus, became His witnesses even to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8), and did works far greater than Jesus did (Jn 14:12).
What years with Jesus and several resurrection appearances did not do was done by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Throughout this year, Lent, and Easter season, we may have been treading water. We may be going nowhere fast and have even less of a faith-commitment to the Lord than years ago. He has done great things for us, but we haven't responded in faith and love.
However, we have hope; Pentecost is soon to come. The Spirit will convict (Jn 16:8), free, and heal us. He will be stirred up in us and send us out from behind the locked doors of the upper room to all creation to be Jesus' witnesses. The glory and victory of Easter are still available for those who will repent, believe, and receive the Holy Spirit of Pentecost.
| PRAYER: | Father, stir into flame the Spirit I received at Baptism and Confirmation (2 Tm 1:6). |
| PROMISE: | "I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and in which you stand firm. You are being saved by it at this very moment." –1 Cor 15:1-2 |
| PRAISE: | After receiving the Holy Spirit in the upper room, both St. Philip and St. James boldly followed the footsteps of Jesus, even to death as martyrs. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College