Second Sunday of Easter

Acts of Disciples Today

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayer.” These four core activities of the early Church describe discipleship today. They are the vision of Church today—a community of love and selfless care for one another. And this isn’t simply a nice story! These are the faith communities that we live, day in and day out!

At St. Francis, these core activities are alive and well, thanks largely to the RCIA process and ACTS retreats for persons of all ages. For many in our parish community, the experience of RCIA and/or an ACTS retreat is followed by participation in an SCC, a small church community, that intentionally commits to living lives of prayer and worship, learning and reflection, community and service. The communities might be made up of couples, singles, families with children, men only, or women only. At SFA, some have been gathering together for more than 20 years.

In the Gospel for this Sunday, Jesus enters the disciples’ locked room and breathes on them, creating them anew with the gift of the Holy Spirit. The power that the Spirit gives them is to forgive sins. Imagine Easter joy being amplified by this forgiveness.

Is there a locked room of your heart that needs the Holy Spirit to enter? If there is someone you need to forgive, pray each day for God’s blessing on that person. If your heart is not yet open to forgiveness, pray for the desire to forgive. Are you in need of forgives? Receive the sacrament of Reconciliation.

May Easter joy be yours in abundance!