Nothing in history parallels the event of a Man put to death in a deeply humiliating and disgraceful manner, rising again. History itself has been changed and time itself is measured according to the birth of our Lord Jesus. It is this good news that Paul exhorts the Corinthians to hold on to receive salvation. He speaks of his appearing to James who became the head of the Church and to Philip who had the privilege of being led to preach to a man who was a non-Jew. This non-Jew was the first of such to receive the good news.

Today, we celebrate the feast of these two great apostles. As for Paul, his dramatic encounter with the Risen Lord, transformed him completely from being a persecutor of Christians, to one championing the cause of Christianity. His brilliant invaluable treasures revealed in his letters became the foundation on which the universal church is built.
Even the disciples, found it difficult to understand and truly follow him even after having been WITH him for three and a half years. But after the feast of Pentecost with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, they fulfilled the promise Jesus gave them of accomplishing more than his own ministry. (John 14:12) Our Lord Jesus had 12 apostles and few thousand followers but with the experience of being IN Christ at the feast of Pentecost, the apostles conquered the world for Christianity. With Peter preaching the death and resurrection of Jesus, 3000 followers were won and later 5000 followers.

We too can have this same experience, if we open ourselves to the move of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said I AM the way, not one who showed the way, the Truth – not one who teaches ABOUT the truth but the very embodiment of the Truth. To know Jesus personally is to have a new meaning in life; lifting us from the mundane to a transcendental experience that touches the divine. He lives in us and we need to experience His presence to follow Him. How have we valued this gift? Let us strive to encounter Him in a deeper way.

Prayer: Abba Father, Lord I look forward to the mighty anointing of the Holy Spirit this Pentecost. Amen