WORD 2day: Saturday before Pentecost
May 27, 2023: Acts 28:16-20, 30-31; John 21: 20-25
The Acts of the Apostles, which itself as a book is in its closing verses, presents Paul who seems to settle down for good in Rome as an honoured guest in house arrest. It says he welcomed all who came to visit him and continued to proclaim the Reign of God...with complete freedom and without hindrance.
In the Gospel we see Jesus who seems to be bidding his final goodbye as also the book of John comes to an end. The closing lines say it all, that what has been recording is only a fraction of all that took place, which were really creating new history. However, there is an end to the epoch.
The end is for a new beginning... the Church awaits the all important feast of the Pentecost tomorrow, an outpouring of the Spirit that led to a renewed life and radical witness - a new beginning at the end of an epoch making series of events with Christ Jesus. The Christ-event takes an eternal turn at this point.
The message today is our call to 'follow Christ' in season and out of season, whether we are free or captive, whether we live or die, whether we eat or drink! Good news has to be announced by all means and the responsibility is ours, irrespective of our state of life or situation at present.
How prepared and willing are we, to begin anew every time it is possible?