Pentecost Sunday
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May 21, 2021May 23, 2021
Pentecost Sunday
Acts 2:1-11
1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13 or
Gal 5:16-25
Jn 20:19-23 or
Jn 15:26-27; 16:12-15
GROW: “Come, Holy Spirit!” On Pentecost Sunday, which we celebrate 50 days after Easter, Jesus sends the Holy Spirit upon the disciples. The readings use the language of the senses to describe the powerful presence of the Spirit: A breath, a mighty wind, tongues of fire, a cacophony of languages somehow understood by all. Jesus sends the Spirit upon each of us as well. And while we may not experience the Holy Spirit with our physical senses, I bet each one of us has sensed the Spirit’s presence at different times in life: a homily that deeply resonated, a sense of awe at God’s creation, a “moral compass” that guided us toward what is right, or when we found the words to console a friend in crisis or vice versa. Just as the Spirit transformed the disciples and emboldened them to build up the Church by carrying on Jesus’ mission, we, too, can ask the Holy Spirit to guide us and strengthen us to be a force for love and unity in our families, parishes, and communities.
GO: In today’s Gospel, Jesus sends his disciples out to continue his ministry, assuring them of the presence of the Holy Spirit to guide them. We, too, have been given the gifts of the Holy Spirit and commissioned to use them to build up the Church. Well before we learned about concepts such as “emotional intelligence” or skills tests, Saint Paul assured the Corinthians that there are many different gifts and ministries, but the same Spirit. Our gifts may even change as we move from one chapter of life to another. For example, high school and college students may help lead retreats or participate in service projects, young adults may build a parish website or lead a Bible study, those who are homebound may offer to pray for others in their parish. For followers of Christ, the only option not on the table is becoming complacent. As we move from the Easter season to “Ordinary Time,” let’s invite the Holy Spirit to show us how to be “extra-ordinary” in our discipleship in the coming days and weeks. Then follow through.
PRAY: Do you sometimes get the Monday blahs? Try starting the day with the Prayer to the Holy Spirit, asking for guidance (and some pep in our step!) as we begin the week:
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful
and kindle in them the fire of your love.
