May 13th, 2004, Monday of the 7th week of Easter.

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.

While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior of the country and down to

Ephesus where he found some disciples. He said to them, did you receive the Holy Spirit when

you became believers?

They answered him.

We have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.

He said, how are you baptized?

They replied, with the baptism of John.

Paul then said, John baptized with a baptism of repentance,

telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.

When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

All together there were about twelve men. He entered the synagogue and for three months debated boldly with persuasive arguments about

the kingdom of God.

The Word of the Lord.

The response is, sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.

God arises,

His enemies are scattered,

and those who hate him flee before him.

As smoke is driven away, so are they driven.

As wax melts before the fire.

...