Solemnity of Pentecost
Reading 1
Acts 2:1-11
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.”
Reading 2
1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13
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.
Gospel
Jn 20:19-23
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.”
Meditation: John 20:19-23
Pentecost
Receive the Holy Spirit. (John 20:22)
On this day of celebration, we are brought back to the upper room to be with the disciples when they first met the risen Lord. John tells us that when Jesus came to them, he showed them his hands and side. There was something about seeing Jesus’ wounds—now glorified—that thrilled their hearts.
We don’t have to look too hard to identify the work of the Holy Spirit here. It was the Spirit who showed the disciples that Jesus didn’t just come back from the dead but that he had actually defeated death and had been declared Lord of heaven and earth. By the Spirit, they realized that because of Jesus’ wounds they too could be filled with divine life, just as their Master was. And this revelation filled them with excitement.
Brothers and sisters, the Holy Spirit wants to give all of us the same revelation. After all, this is what Pentecost is all about—seeing Jesus in a whole new way. Whenever we pray, whenever we go to Mass, the Spirit wants to reveal Jesus to our hearts—his love, his mercy, and his power. He wants to break down the walls that keep us trapped in a narrow, shallow understanding of God’s plan. He wants to do this so that he can form us into a people on fire with love for him, willing to surrender our lives to him, and eager to bring his good news to a wounded world.
We don’t have to fear the Holy Spirit. He may come in fire, but only to burn away the things that keep us from Jesus. We can carry so much “baggage” in our hearts—fears, anxieties, and resentments. But by the power of the cross, the Holy Spirit wants to lighten our load so that we can embrace Jesus as our just and loving Savior who wants the very best for us.
“Jesus, I want to rejoice in you just as the apostles did. Holy Spirit, burn away everything that keeps me from your presence. Come, Spirit, and give me a new revelation of Jesus.”
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Questions for Individual Reflection or Group Discussion
Acts 2:1-11; Psalm 104:1,24,29-31,34; 1 Corinthians 12:3-7,12-13; John 20:19-23
1. Many of us are disconnected from the reality of God’s astonishing and overpowering gift of himself to us in the Holy Spirit. He is not a namby-pamby Spirit, but one of energy and joy that inspires love and confidence. What steps can you take to open yourself to this gift?
2. In the first reading, we recall the events of the day of Pentecost, the descent of the Holy Spirit and the phenomena accompanying it. Through this miraculous work, we see the Holy Spirit becoming the unifier of all of us. How can you use the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life and others to strengthen the unity of your parish?
3. The responsorial psalm speaks of God renewing the face of the earth. This renewal begins with each one of us. What renewal does God want to make in your life?
4. The second reading reminds us that the Holy Spirit works in each of us differently in order to benefit the whole Church. What gifts do you have that can be used to build up the Church? How can you use them for the benefit of others in your family?
5. Pope John Paul II has reminded us over and over again that the commission Christ gave the Church in today’s Gospel – “as the Father has sent me, so I send you” – was not meant just for the Apostles, but rather for each of us believers. We all share in the responsibility to tell the world of the great news of God’s love for us in Jesus Christ! What can you do in the upcoming weeks to share this Good News with others?
6. The meditation speaks of the baggage (“fears, anxieties, and resentments”) in our hearts that keeps us from Jesus. It also speaks of the power of the Cross, the Holy Spirit, and God’s love. How can these graces, which are so readily available through prayer and in the Church’s sacraments, help you deal with this baggage? Take some time to pray, individually, or with other parishioners for a deeper infilling of the Holy Spirit in your life.
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