Friday in the Octave of Easter
Readings for Friday in the Octave of Easter

First Published: Friday, April 21, 2006

Double your Pleasure

Reflection:

"...it was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean
whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead;
in his name this man stands before you healed.
He is the stone rejected by you, the builders,
which has become the cornerstone.
There is no salvation through anyone else,
nor is there any other name under heaven
given to the human race by which we are to be saved."
(Acts 10b-12)

The name of Jesus Christ and him Crucified is the source of our life and our salvation. This short passage from Acts captures that central tenant of our faith with such eloquence that I find just praying it brings peace.

The saga of Peter, John, and the Cripple they cured at the Beautiful Gate continues in the first reading from Acts. It is again coupled with yet another encounter between the Lord and the disciples after the resurrection. The contrast between them is still remarkable. The Holy Spirit is so transforming and it is a gift we take for granted. We receive it in Baptism, it is sealed in Confirmation, and we can draw on it at will.

This season of Easter is one in which the risen Christ points us directly at that gift he left for us. So as we bask in the light of Christ Risen let us call upon the Holy Spirit and be transformed.

Pax