In the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, what impressed me most was how the apostles were emboldened. Remember that immediately after Jesus’ death on the cross they all hid away. They were petrified that what happened to their mentor, Jesus, would happen to them. The apostles were, at the moment of Jesus’ death, left alone.

Today’s passage from Acts shows the men coming alive. God worked miracles through them and suddenly they were emboldened. God’s mercy was worked through them. These common men recognized this and were impressed themselves. They were not “full of themselves.” They saw the mighty power of God at work in and through them. Confidence came to them. The reading from Acts explains this. They knew that they could do good.

The Gospel of John, Chapter 20, recounts the famous story of the empowerment of the Apostles. The Lord “breathed” on them. They were told, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” And they did receive the Spirit.

It is remarkable to me how the Lord works. He wants all to receive His Gift, Grace. None of us deserve Grace. It IS pure gift. God’s aim is to give and work His Grace through His servants. Each person touched by His Grace in turn touches another person with it. His Grace is passed on from one to another. This is the role of the Holy Spirit working in the Community of Faith.

As members of the community receive the Spirit they give the Spirit. Thus, the Apostles become emissaries of the Lord and always point to God, not themselves.

Mercy, besides Justice, is worked through the Faithful followers of Christ. Justice is what everyone is shown just because all are creatures of God. However, Mercy is pure gift. No one is owed a gift. That is the nature of a gift. It is given freely without cause except for that of Love.

From the start of my priesthood, truly from the moment of my calling to the priesthood, I was shown mercy and made to show mercy to others.

There always have been moments I have resisted doing God’s will. I hear myself saying, “Lord, enough already!” I tell Him to give someone else a job to do. Why not impress upon some other lazy person who shows little care that he or she needs to act justly. But then I realized something.

Like the apostles in the readings today I am called and empowered to do God’s will. As an old adage goes, “If not me then who?” And once I get over my lethargy, God’s power steps in.

I am not speaking of God’s work in me as “magic.” God waves no wand. His Spirit does exist and moves through me. And His powerful mercy will move through you too.

When I look at my life in the Priestly ministry, I see God’s movement in me. God’s working in me itself is a show of mercy. I am not worthy on my own to be the Lord’s vessel of mercy. Likewise, no one I minister to is worthy either of the mercy I pass on to him or her.

I remind myself to be grateful that God’s mercy works through me. Such lifts me up with the joy of knowing God is near to me. And with that knowledge I must give Mercy to another as well.

Mercy received and mercy given.