Tuesday Reading 2nd Pentecost Holy Trinity

Acts 4:13-22
Observing the boldness of Peter and John and perceiving them to be uneducated, ordinary men, they were amazed, and they recognized them as the companions of Jesus. Then when they saw the man who had been cured standing there with them, they could say nothing in reply. So they ordered them to leave the Sanhedrin, and conferred with one another, saying, “What are we to do with these men? Everyone living in Jerusalem knows that a remarkable sign was done through them, and we cannot deny it. But so that it may not be spread any further among the people, let us give them a stern warning never again to speak to anyone in this name.” So they called them back and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. Peter and John, however, said to them in reply, “Whether it is right in the sight of God for us to obey you rather than God, you be the judges. It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.” After threatening them further, they released them, finding no way to punish them, on account of the people who were all praising God for what had happened. For the man on whom this sign of healing had been done was over forty years old.

John 15:9-14
As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.

Prayer of the Faithful, Vol. III
Ramsho – Opening Prayer (page 65)

Long suffering Lord,
rich in grace and truth,
grant us the gifts of meekness, calm, mercy,
compassion, and spiritual understanding.
Lead us in joy to that dawn that does not pass away.
With grateful hearts, we shall remain in your presence,
and offer humble praise to you, your Father and
your Holy Spirit,
now and forever. Amen.

Saint of the Day: Saint Aquilina of Syria, c. 3rd century A.D.
Born in Byblos, Phoenecia (Lebanon), at the age of twelve she was arrested for being a Christian during the persecutions of the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Refusing to renounce her faith, she was beated and beheaded. Saint Joseph the Hymnog-rapher composed an Office in her honor in the 9th century A.D..

Meditation:

While the coming of spring and summer were celebrated by ancient peoples with rites and ceremonies focused upon flowering, new birth, and the light and warmth of the sun; in the Hebrew Scriptures or Old Testament we see a new meaning in the giving of The Law to Moses on Mt. Sinai. “Where in an inexpressible mystical encoun-ter God revealed himself, entered into a Covenant, gave commandments, and prom-ised salvation. …religion ceased being simply nature, and now became the beginning of history.” (Schmemann, Alexander, The Church Year: The Celebration of Faith, SVS Press, Crestwood, New York, 1994, p.152.) This will allow the prophets of Israel to see and proclaim a future fullness of God’s reign over his creation. This will allow for the proclamation of the coming of a Messiah who will redeem humanity, and a re-creation through the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit of God. As the prophet Joel wrote:

And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out my spirit on all
flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream
dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even upon the menservants and
maidservants in those days, I will pour out my spirit. And I will give signs in
the heavens and on the earth…before the great and terrible day of the Lord
comes. And it shall come to pass that all who call upon the name of the Lord
shall be delivered…(Joel 2:28-32)

In the Acts of the Apostles we see that the Apostolic Church realized in the experience of the Pentecost that the words of the prophets and the long awaited hope of salvation has indeed been fulfilled in their experience of the death, resurrection, appearances, and Ascension of Christ; and now with the Holy Spirit poured out upon them they must proclaim this truth to the world. They realized that the Spirit is the Truth and Life of Christ living in them through the power of God’s Spirit, the same Spirit that Scripture says, by whose power Jesus rose from the dead.