ROOTS

“It was to you and your children that the promise was made, and to all those still far off whom the Lord our God calls.” —Acts 2:39

On the third day of Easter, the Lord brings to our attention the birthday of the Church. At the first Christian Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured out, three thousand people were baptized, and the Church was born (see Acts 2:41).

Peter mentions at the beginning of his discourse that “it is only nine in the morning.” After one-hundred and twenty people received the Holy Spirit, Peter preached the Good News of Jesus’ death and Resurrection. Because Peter could not be heard outside by thousands of people, probably hundreds of people passed on the Gospel to many thousands by speaking to several groups. Thus, the Church began with the Holy Spirit prompting newborn Christians to lead immediately to Christ, the Church, and Baptism the thousands of people in their midst.

From day one, life in Christ was not a spectator sport. Christians heard preaching not to keep it to themselves, but to proclaim it in the streets and from the rooftops. These are our roots, the origin of the Church. Let us never forget from where we have come. Let us be ourselves and proclaim the Gospel always and at all costs.

PRAYER: Father, like Mary Magdalene, may my spirit “cling to Jesus.”
PROMISE: “Mary Magdalene went to the disciples. ‘I have seen the Lord!’ she announced. Then she reported what He had said to her.” –Jn 20:18
PRAISE: Maria passed on the Catholic faith to her children and helped her parents find it again.