It is a seemingly small point, but one that is important to remember as we reflect on ministry during these days preceding the descent of the Spirit, to notice that the place of Judas among the apostles was refilled because of his betrayal, not because of his death. He was, according to Peter, "allotted a share in this ministry." It is, then, betrayal of the mission and not merely death that leaves a void in the fabric of the church's mission. We forget that in the minds of the other apostles, Judas still would have been numbered in the company of the Twelve when Jesus prayed the prayer we hear today: praying that, as they were sent into the world, they would be consecrated in the truth. It is difficult for us to comprehend that Jesus knelt to wash the feet of Judas. These are powerful and significant lessons for us to call to mind and keep in our hearts as we ponder the place of our particular ministry in the Church and the world, if we are remaining faithful to it, consecrated to the truth. Copyright (c) J. S. Paluch Co

It is interesting that during the Easter season, when we do not hear a reading from the Old Testament, it becomes so important. This is particularly true today. Peter's speech begins with a prayer formula familiar to Jews: "The God of Abraham . . ." (Acts 3:13). It likewise contains the potent phrases "Holy and Righteous One" and "mouth of all the prophets" (3:14, 18). Peter was stating in no uncertain terms that the law, psalms, and prophets had been fulfilled in Christ. This is reinforced by Jesus himself in the Gospel passage, when he states that everything in the scriptures (to the early Christians "the scriptures" were what we call the Old Testament) had to be fulfilled. Above all, Jesus and Peter both emphasize that we are witnesses to all of this, and are sent forth to bear witness to it in the world. The Latin Missa, from which our word "Mass" comes, means "sent" (as in "mission"). As we leave Mass today, let us remember to be witnesses to all that has been fulfilled in the risen Christ. Copyright (c) J. S. Paluch Co.

The desire to be able to prove the existence of a divinity has troubled humanity since human consciousness first became aware of the divine. To this very day we are fond of saying that any number of things--from sunsets to hot fudge sundaes --are "proof that there is a God." We get so caught up in the story of "doubting Thomas" that we fail to notice that today's Gospel gives us John's account of Pentecost, the bestowing of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples following the Resurrection. Thomas, evidently, missed out not only on seeing the Risen Christ, but receiving the Holy Spirit as well. This is not to be taken lightly and, perhaps, makes Thomas' disbelief a bit easier to comprehend. It also makes his professing that Jesus is his Lord and God--the only time the New Testament explicitly refers to Jesus Christ as "God"--more remarkable. Copyright (c) J. S. Paluch Co.

Here are links to the the Freya String Quartet - Jason Neukom, Ashley Buckley, Jason Hohn, and Katya Janpladyan playing three different pieces in the Music Plus Concert Series at St. James.

• String Quartet in F Major, Op. 96 "American" - II. Lento by Antonin Dvorak
  
• Two Pieces for String Quartet - Valse Guanajuato by Richard Neukom
  
• Two Pieces for String Quartet - Serenade by Richard Neukom