Friends, welcome to Word on Fire, Catholic Ministries. Word on Fire is an apostolate dedicated

to the mission of evangelization, using media both old and new to share the faith on every

continent and to facilitate and encounter with Christ and His Church. The efforts of

Word on Fire engage the culture and bring the transformative power of God's Word where

it is most needed. Today we invite you to join Bishop Robert Baron as he preaches

the gospel and shares the warmth and light of Christ with each of us.

Peace be with you. Friends, throughout the Easter season, the Church has been inviting

us to meditate on the magnificent acts of the Apostles, which as you know is the second

volume of St. Luke's two-volume treatment of Jesus in the church. What we call the gospel

of Luke is volume one. What we call the Acts of the Apostles is volume two. That's why

that gospel and the Acts have to be read so tightly together thematically.

Well, the book opens with a promise of the Holy Spirit. Listen, while meeting with them,

he, the he hears Jesus, enjoying them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the

promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak. It's the risen Christ now.

Speaking to his followers and he's saying, look, don't leave the city until this promise

from the Father comes, he's speaking of the Holy Spirit. Describe in our gospel for today

as the paracletos that means prosecuting attorney. I'll come back to that. Why it has that

very interesting name. Jesus now continues. This is the risen Christ speaking. John baptized

with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. He's talking about

pentecost, isn't he? The day when the Spirit descends upon the church. But what is the Spirit?

Better who is the Spirit? He's the love that links together the Father and the Son. It's very

important to keep this in mind now and keep it as the context for these readings. He promises

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