Pentecost Sunday(Cycle B, Year II)

Community Word:God’s love empowers us to make disciples of all nations.

Theme: We make disciples of all nations when we use our spiritual gifts to unite the Body of Christ.

Promise:“Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them.” (Jn 20:22a)

Reflection:
Today, Pentecost Sunday, we celebrate the birth of the Church. Happy birthday to all believers in the Christian faith! On the Feast of Pentecost, we experience and celebrate the immense outpouring of gifts of the Holy Spirit upon the Church, upon all followers of the Risen Lord. Pentecost is the fulfillment of the Lord’s promise that He would not leave us orphans and that He would return to His Father so He can send the Holy Spirit – the Paraclete, the Comforter and Advocate, to bestow His many empowering gifts upon us.

The Holy Spirit is God of love and has the power to create love in our hearts. In Christ Jesus and with faith working through love, our task is to bring all people to God and to work in building His kingdom, as we acknowledge the Lordship of God, our Creator. As disciples of the Lord, we direct our lives to be one with Him, responding to the mission He gave us: “As the Father has sent me, so am I sending you.”

We make disciples of all nations when we use our spiritual gifts to unite the Body of Christis the theme for this week.“There is diversity of gifts, diversity of ministries, diversity of works, but the same God works in all. The Spirit reveals His presence in each one with a gift that is also a service,”(1Cor: 7-11). The gifts of the Holy Spirit must be put to good use, otherwise what good are these gifts if they remain dormant? The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains: “Charisms are to be accepted with gratitude by the person who receives them and by all members of the Church as well…for the apostolic vitality and for the holiness of the entire Body of Christ…” (CCC 800). Gifts are received in fullness in our Baptism and confirmed in the sacrament of Confirmation. But they only come to life and stirred up into action when we are baptized in the Spirit, such as what transpires in the LSS.

In today’s feast, we need to ponder deeply on the particular roles that God has given us and the particular contribution(s) we can make to the mission of the church, particularly, through our community. Be it as servants, stewards, teachers, sharers, worship leaders or members of an apostolate or ministry, we all work together in different ways towards one noble spiritual goal. As community members, let us embrace and put to action our BLD vision – “A community of disciples inspired by the Holy Spirit to be living witnesses for transformation in Christ to bring about a world of justice, human development and true peace.” The Holy Spirit is mighty, powerful, convincing and life-changing. He challenges and calls us to change and action. As Pope Francis said, “Go out again and again, without hesitation, without fear and proclaim this joy which is for all people.”

Pentecost happened on that momentous day in the “upper room.” There was the sound of a mighty wind from heaven filling the whole house (indicating the Spirit of God). There appeared tongues of fire which rested on the head of each one present (symbolizing the presence of God) and He breathes on them (giving them Life). When we receive the Holy Spirit, a new life is given to us, making us new creations and giving us a new life in the Spirit. Likewise, just as authority was given to the Apostles, the ultimate mission of the Church (where we are part of) is to bring people back to God. This is specifically expressed in the Promise this week: “Whose sins you forgive are forgiven,”(Jn 20:22a).As present-day disciples, anointed and empowered with the Holy Spirit, we pray for and help reconcile those who have become separated from God and lead them to restore or renew their unity with Him. Through and with the Holy Spirit, we are given new hope, new heart and new purpose.

Let us remember that to actualize and experience our spiritual gifts, it is essential to function as one body of Christ. We are united as one body when we serve each other with love, respect and humility.

Prayer:
O Holy Spirit, You are the God of life, truth, love, joy and service. Instill in us the fullness of your Spirit. Anoint and empower us that we may fully utilize the gifts you bestowed on us to help us improve our personal relationship with You, and thereby, enabling us to reach out to others and be of service to them, all for the glory of your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Reflection Questions:
1. What spiritual gifts have you received from the Holy Spirit that you can utilize and can benefit your family, your community and others?
2. What are some possible areas of service that you can undertake to reach out and serve more? What steps can you take to bring more cooperation and unity in your family and your community?
3. Share on what ways the Holy Spirit has helped you lived a righteous life.

This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
May 20, 2018 (Sun)- Acts 2:1-11/Ps 104:1,24,31,34,29-30/1Cor 12:3-7,12,13/Jn 20:19-23
May 21, 2018 (Mon) -Gn 3:9-15, 20/Ps 87:1-3, 5-7/Jn 19:25-34
May 22, 2018 (Tue) – Jas 4:1-10/Ps 55:7-11, 23/Mk 9:30-37
May 23, 2018 (Wed) – Jas 4:13-17/Ps 49:2, 3, 6-11/Mk 9:38-40
May 24, 2018 (Thu) -Jas 5:1-6/Ps 49:14-20/Mk 9:1-50
May 25, 2018 (Fri) – Jas 5:9-12/Ps 103:1-4, 8, 9.11, 12/Mk 10:1-12
May 26, 2018 (Sat) – Jas 5:13-20Ps 141:1-3, 8/Mk 10:13-16

“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”