[Salvation]

Monday, Seventh Sunday of Easter

All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

Acts 1: 14

Now, besides the Eleven, we see some of the other members of the early community.

The women were the ones who came to Jerusalem with Jesus from Galilee for the Passover, some of whom figured prominently at the cross and at the tomb.

The names of the “brothers” of Jesus are listed in Mark (not in Luke) as James, Joses, Judas and Simon. Much has been written about whether these are blood brothers or relatives, neighbors, etc. The Greek word used here is sometimes used in those broader senses, although it normally means blood brother. Thus the controversy. The Catholic tradition is that Mary had no other child but Jesus.

Which brings us to Mary. She is part of this small community, and here she is praying with them. This is the last time she will be seen, and the only time her name is mentioned outside the Gospels. Tradition has it that she lived on in Jerusalem, apparently very quietly.

Her greatness wasn’t recognized until long after her life ended. That’s often true. Most of the greatest ones are never recognized. Only the Lord knows.

We can probably think of some we know personally. Who would be on our list?

Spend some quiet time with the Risen Lord.

[Salvation]

May 10, 2005

The Jewish Feast of Pentecost

There are five more days in the Easter Season – it ends the evening of Pentecost Sunday.

Pentecost was a traditional Jewish feast celebrating the wheat harvest – a joyful celebration like the “Thanksgiving Day” celebrated in many countries. Originally it wasn’t on a set date, but celebrated whenever the harvest was ready. But gradually it became customary to celebrate it 50 days after Passover. That’s what the Greek word “Pentecost” means: 50th day.

In time, an additional meaning was given to this feast. Jewish leaders calculated that when their ancestors left Egypt, they arrived at Mt. Sinai approximately seven weeks later. It was here that God gave Moses the Law, and the Covenant was sealed: “I will be your God, and you will be my people.”

So, 50 days after Passover (which celebrated their escape from Egypt) was an appropriate time to celebrate the Sinai covenant which made the Jewish people God’s “Chosen people.”

Luke’s description of the Spirit coming upon the disciples on the very day of this feast underlines the significance of this event. It is a dramatic new beginning for the people of the New Covenant.