Tuesday in the Octave of Easter
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April 14, 2020In the first reading today Peter is talking to the Jewish people on the day of Pentecost. His preaching cut them to the heart. It is true, even St. Paul mentions how the Word of God cuts like a two-edged sword. As the preaching of Peter, the Word of God that He is preaching, cuts their hearts, they ask what they are to do. Peter tells them, “Repent and be baptized, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Then save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”
Those three thoughts are so tightly wrapped together. As is usual, especially in our language, repent usually has the connotation of saying look back and be sorry for your sins, then do something to make up for them. That understanding is correct, but it goes deeper. Repent means to adopt a new way of thinking and live by it. Peter is telling them to adopt the way of thinking that is cutting their heart, and then live by it.
He adds that baptism will bestow on them the Holy Spirit, who will help them live by it. Peter goes on to say to save yourself from this corrupt generation. This does not mean to just not participate in the corruption of the world, and the sins of the world, but it goes even further. It is to allow the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God to enlighten us while we live in this corruption. It is a difficult thing to not be influenced by the world events and the way of thinking of the world. We are shaped by the events and attitudes and thinking all around us.
This is one of the reasons Mary of Magdalene did not recognize Jesus at the tomb. As close as she was to Jesus, she was still in the mindset of the world. She did not expect to see Jesus alive, even though He told her that He would rise. She was conditioned to believe it would be on the ‘Last Day.’ She could not understand what the Glory of Resurrection looked like, since she did not understand His rising would be so immediate. When Jesus says her name, she recognizes Him and it all comes to realization for her. Jesus spoke, His Word is effective and cuts the heart. When He spoke, her heart was cut to the truth.
We are influenced by the world, the effects of this world have shaped us and influenced us and still do. We must allow the Word of God to cut to the heart. When we do, our hearts will be opened and allow for the Holy Spirit to come in, the very mind and heart of God to come in and help us to adopt His way of thinking and live by it.
During this time, let us turn more to Scripture, and adopt the way of thinking which is knowing that no matter the danger and hardships around us, God will take care of us as He promised if we place our trust in Him.
