The Christian ethicist Stanley Hauerwas has said, “Christianity is not beliefs about God plus behavior. We are Christians not because of what we believe, but because we have been called to be disciples of Jesus.

We hear different “giving of the Spirit” stories today: the spectacular events in the “upper room” and the risen Jesus’ breathing the Spirit on the disciples when he first appeared to them.

At the beginning of the Acts of the Apostles Jesus did not ascend immediately; he spent a highly symbolic 40 days—reminiscent of his 40 days in the wilderness at the beginning of his ministry—speaking to the apostles “about the kingdom of God.”

John Joseph, who received the 2001 Catholic Campaign for Human Development’s Cardinal Bernardin New Leadership Award for his race relations and anitpoverty work while a student at Ole Miss, said in accepting his award, “Our love for others demonstrates that we recognize God’s love for us.”

Bearing witness to God's truth, having confidence in God's responsiveness, feeling connected to God's presence—these are gospel messages to contemplate.

Scripture challenges leaders to make sacrifices for the sake of their people and reveal God's love in their actions.

Today's readings outline the ways to know and love God and become witnesses of the Lord's saving truth.

The readings define believers as those who are of one mind and body, know Jesus Christ to be the Son of God, and love God by keeping God’s commandments.

We are witnesses of all that Jesus did, says the Acts of the Apostles. What is our response?

Palm Sunday marks our entrance into Holy Week and the time of Jesus' Passion and the most sacred time in our lives as Christians.