Pentecost, Cycle C
Prayer
Lord, send us your Spirit and renew the face of the earth.
May we always be moved by our Advocate given to us through your Son. You are Lord forever and ever. Amen.
Commentary
1st Reading: Acts 2: 1-11
We all recall the story of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11: 1-9 where, after the destruction of the tower, the Lord confused the language of the whole earth.
The Acts of the Apostles’ reading shows us that what was once destroyed is now restored. The confused “babble” of many languages is now comprehended by all who share in the same Spirit. Even though all are speaking in their own tongue, they witnessed a miracle of unity and communion.
The universal nature of the Church was celebrated on that great day of Pentecost. It is still celebrated today. We are reminded that the word “Catholic” means “Universal.” In every age and in every place, we proclaim the same language.
Our Catholic faith goes to great lengths to protect the universality of our faith; especially through our weekday and Sunday liturgies and through the celebration of our Sacraments.
The source of all our unity is the One Spirit who gathers all nations together. We are one in the Spirit. We are one in the Lord.
Question:
In what way does the Spirit call you to unity and communion?
2nd Reading: 1 Cor. 12: 3-7, 12-13
We all know that to call God, “Father,” is a gift from Jesus, the only begotten Son of God.
It is through Jesus that we can claim to be adopted sons and daughters of our Father in heaven. Only through Christ do we know the Father.
Our faith, through Scripture, also reminds us that there is only one way to know the Only begotten Son. St. Paul tells us:
“No one can say: ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except through the Holy Spirit.”
Knowing Jesus is more than just an intellectual act. For example, we would be hard pressed to find a person on earth who does not know that Jesus existed or that Christians follow the Christ.
Knowing the Lord, for St. Paul, is the intimate knowledge of Christ through faith which is given to us by the breath of the Holy Spirit. Born again through water and the Holy Spirit, we know Christ as co-heirs, blood relatives, and royal members of the household of God.
Question:
How do you know Christ?
Gospel: John 20: 19-23
Normally, a priest will begin the Mass with, “The Lord be with you.” However, if a bishop comes to your parish (perhaps at Confirmation), you will hear him say, “Peace be with you.” As a successor of the Apostles, his greeting at Mass is a response to the greeting offered by Jesus to the apostles gathered in the upper room.
After Jesus uttered these words of peace, he breathed on the Apostles the gift of the Holy Spirit. With this gift came the commission to “be sent” as Christ was sent by the Father and to forgive sins.
As Christ was sent and as Christ forgave, we understand that the sharing of the Spirit was the sharing of Christ’s nature. As Christ humbled himself to share in our human nature, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we have a share in his Divinity.
By this gift of the Holy Spirit, the Church is truly the Body of Christ. As Jesus showed his hands and side to the Apostles, the Church shows the hands of Christ to the world. Indeed, Christ has no hands but ours.
Question:
In what way are you Christ to those around you?
This Week’s Task
As we celebrate Pentecost, we are reminded of the children, adults, and teenagers who have celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation within the Easter Season.
The Feast of Pentecost is a challenge to all of us who have the Spirit, to invite others to the Sacrament of Confirmation. Do you know that nearly half of those who celebrate their First Communion go on to celebrate Confirmation?
Make it a point to ask someone if they would like to participate in Confirmation. Perhaps you could be their sponsor.
Group Prayer
The group prays the following sequence for Pentecost together:
Come, Holy Spirit, come! And from thy celestial home Shed a ray of light divine!
Come, Father of the poor! Come, source of all our store! Come, within our bosoms shine!
You, of comforters the best;
You, the souls most welcome guest; Sweet refreshment here below;
In our labor, rest most sweet; Grateful coolness in the heat; Solace in the midst of woe.
O most blessed Light divine, Shine within these hearts of thine, And our inmost being fill!
Where you are not, man has naught, Nothing good in deed or thought, Nothing free from taint of ill.
Heal our wounds, our strength renew; On our dryness pour thy dew;
Wash the stains of guilt away.
Bend the stubborn heart and will; Melt the frozen, warm the chill; Guide the steps that go astray.
On the faithful who adore And confess thee evermore
In your sev’nfold gift descend;
Give them virtue’s sure reward; Give them your salvation, Lord; Give them joys that never end.
Amen. Alleluia!
Conclude with an Our Father