During these Sundays after Easter, our first Reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. We read the history of the first generation of Christians and see how the Resurrection of Jesus influenced them deeply. Many among the first generation had seen the Risen Jesus and had witnessed His Ascension into heaven. A core group, in union with Mary the Mother of Jesus, received the gift of the Holy Spirit, not for their own sanctification alone but for the good of the whole Church.

When we read this history with faith and within the context of the Mass, we read it as the word of God. As such, we do not read mere data. We hear the voice of God calling us to recognize here a history of grace. We receive an invitation to continue this history of grace in our own lives.

We are certain that every invitation from God is at the same time a promise and an offer of grace. If the early community could be "of one heart and one mind", so too can we, if we as individuals and as a Church are faithful to the guidance of the Spirit.