file: /pub/resources/text/taize/johannine: jh9407.txt
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JOHANNINE HOURS   -  Acts 2,1-4.32-36  - July 1994

"Peter, standing with the Eleven, spoke up in a loud voice" (Acts 2,14).
The inhabitants of Jerusalem must have thought that the disciples of the
crucified Jesus had been broken by the striking failure of their master,
that they had become bitter or filled with the violence of the
desperate. What a surprise to discover men on their feet who leave their
hiding-place and come to meet them with free and open hearts, people
with words of confidence and reconciliation on their lips, eager to
share what has changed their life: an encounter with the risen Christ,
with his peace and his forgiveness.

Having recognized the Risen Lord, the apostles are without expectations
and without regrets. The risen Christ has visited them and filled them
with his Spirit. This Spirit is the defender that Jesus had promised-the
Spirit of forgiveness, peace, joy, strength and boldness. The miracle of
tongues is the seed of a communion that overturns barriers of every
sort.

The apostles do not keep for themselves what they have received. With
Peter, they proclaim, "The promise is for you, as well as for your
children and for all who are far off..." (Acts 2,39). On the rock of the
Spirit of the risen Christ, the Kingdom of God is being built, visible
and accessible in the communion of the Church. The Risen Lord founds the
Church on his forgiveness. It will be a visible expression of his being
in the world.

How can I bear witness to this "Pentecost opening of doors" with its two
aspects: going towards others to communicate Christ and welcoming them
into a community?

What recent event, what persons I have met, have been for me bearers of
the force and the creative liberty of forgiveness?

JOHANNINE HOURS (Taize Community, France.)

Mail: broy@taize.frmug.fr.net or taize@dkauni2.bitnet

Desc: A monthly devotional from the Taize Community. The "Johannine
Hours" are meant as a way of seeking God in silence and prayer in the
midst of our daily lives. A brief commentary on a selected passage and a
couple of questions to assist reflexion and sharing.

Note: Archives accessible via ftp to iclnet93.iclnet.org
(/pub/resources/text/taize) and via web at WWW Christian Resource List.
For the daily Bible verse taken from the midday prayer in Taize, finger
roy@pfsparc02.phil15.uni-sb.de

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