Sunday, May 19th, 2024
Reading I
When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled,
they were all in one place together.
And suddenly there came from the sky
a noise like a strong driving wind,
and it filled the entire house in which they were.
Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire,
which parted and came to rest on each one of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit
and began to speak in different tongues,
as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.
Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem.
At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd,
but they were confused
because each one heard them speaking in his own language.
They were astounded, and in amazement they asked,
“Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans?
Then how does each of us hear them in his native language?
We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites,
inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia,
Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia,
Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene,
as well as travelers from Rome,
both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs,
yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues
of the mighty acts of God.”
We see the Holy Spirit present to the first apostles in pretty spectacular fashion: tongues of fire, gifts of tongues, boldness in proclamation, fearlessness, conviction. The Holy Spirit can be bold at times in our lives and at other times He can be more subtle and quiet. In what ways have you experienced the Holy Spirit in your life? Are there any patterns or tell tale signs that alert you to His power and inspiration? If you have trouble recognizing the movement of the Holy Spirit in your life, take that to prayer and ask Holy Spirit to show you his presence in your moments of need.
Responsorial Psalm 104
R. (cf. 30) Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
O LORD, my God, you are great indeed!
How manifold are your works, O LORD!
the earth is full of your creatures.
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
May the glory of the LORD endure forever;
may the LORD be glad in his works!
Pleasing to him be my theme;
I will be glad in the LORD.
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
If you take away their breath, they perish
and return to their dust.
When you send forth your spirit, they are created,
and you renew the face of the earth.
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
I think most of us desire to see the face of the earth renewed in one manner or another, Amen? Amen! The earth is renewed one human being at a time though and it starts with me. This week’s quote in Quotable speaks to the infinite potential we all hold. Where is God asking me to be renewed by Holy Spirit? Where can I use a makeover in my life? Pray this Psalm with conviction of Spirit! Invite the Holy Spirit in.
Reading II
Brothers and sisters:
No one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit;
there are different forms of service but the same Lord;
there are different workings but the same God
who produces all of them in everyone.
To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit
is given for some benefit.
As a body is one though it has many parts,
and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body,
so also Christ.
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body,
whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons,
and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.
Every baptized person has received the Holy Spirit. Every. Baptized. Person. I think we all fall under the lie of the enemy from time to time that we don’t have as much Holy Spirit as another or don’t have any gifts from the Holy Spirit. Lies!!! If you have been baptized you have received the same Holy Spirit as Mother Theresa, JP11, Bishop Barron, (fill in blank with your spiritual hero). The Holy Spirit always comes bearing gifts. I remember when I went through Alpha and we had our Holy Spirit Day Away and we were encouraged to study the gifts of the Holy Spirit and pray about which gifts we wanted to receive. I remember that I thought that I wasn’t ‘important’ or ‘special’ enough for certain gifts. Lies! The Holy Spirit does not limit what He bestows on us, WE DO. STOP! Spend time in prayer this week. Open your bible and read 1 Corinthians 12 and ponder and pray with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Let your heart hope and dream big! What do you desire? Ask for it!
Gospel
On the evening of that first day of the week,
when the doors were locked, where the disciples were,
for fear of the Jews,
Jesus came and stood in their midst
and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.
The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.
As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,
“Receive the Holy Spirit.
Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them,
and whose sins you retain are retained.
We see in today’s readings two manifestations of the Holy Spirit, one bold and the other on the breath of our Lord. Which of these two readings speaks more to your heart today? Why? Which of these two readings is more of a challenge? Why? Can you believe that the Holy Spirit comes to us both ways? Imagine this Gospel for yourself this Pentecost Sunday. Imagine yourself in the Upper Room. Imagine Jesus suddenly with you, face to face. Hear His words, “Peace be with you.” What do you feel? What do you desire in this moment? Tell Him. Now open your hands and your heart and be present to Him when He breathes on you and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Come Holy Spirit Come!
