+  THE EARLY CHURCH   +

They went back to Jerusalem, to the room where they were staying, and prayed continuously: the apostles, the Mother of Jesus and several other women, and His brothers.

They prayed to God to show them whom to choose to take the place of Judas Iscariot.

Then they drew lots and chose Matthias. He was then listed as one of the twelve apostles.

+ + + Pentecost + + +

The Jews celebrated the feast of Pentecost, fifty days after Passover. On that day, the Twelve and those with them suddenly heard the rush of a mighty wind from heaven which filled the whole house. Parted tongues, as of fire, appeared to them and came to rest on the head of each one of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak foreign tongues, as the Spirit prompted them to speak.

Hearing this sound, many people gathered. There were pious Jews from every nation staying in Jerusalem, and they were amazed to hear these people speaking the language of each one of them. They asked each other what this could mean. But some just laughed it off. "They have drunk too much wine," they said.

Then Peter stood up with the other eleven apostles and called out over the hubbub, “Listen to me carefully. These men are not drunk; it is only 9:00 in the morning. This is what the prophet Joel prophesied: 'In the days to come, says the Lord, I will pour out My spirit on all mankind. And all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.' Men of Israel, hear these words: You know well that God showed you Who Jesus of Nazareth was by the many miracles He worked through Him while He walked among you. This Man, Who was put into your power by God's deliberate plan, which He knew beforehand, you took and had crucified by lawless men.

“You killed Him, but God raised Him up, because it was impossible for death to hold Him in its power. All of us are witnesses to this. Now He has been raised up by God's right hand, and has received from the Father the Holy Spirit Who was promised. What you see and hear is the outpouring of that Spirit."

Hearing this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the apostles, "What must we do, brothers?" "You must be sorry for your sins," Peter answered, "and every one of you must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Those who accepted what he said were baptized, about three thousand that day.

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