Pentecost Sunday(Cycle C, Year I)

Community Word:The indwelling of the Holy Spirit transforms our lives.

Theme: Our lives are transformed when we use the spiritual gifts to serve the body of Christ.

Promise: “The Holy Spirit… will teach you everything that I told you.”(Jn 14:26)

Reflection:
Pentecost is one of the great feasts of Christianity. The feast of Pentecost marks the end of Easter season and the birthday of the Church. On this day, the disciples became new persons, full of courage and confidence, fearlessly preaching Jesus. They received power when the Holy Spirit came upon them. They began to speak in tongues and to prophesy. They received the understanding and faith needed to fulfill the mission entrusted to them by Jesus to proclaim the good news to all nations. The same Holy Spirit who guided Jesus throughout His life was passed on to His disciples when He told them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained,” (Jn 20: 22-23).

Our theme this week tells us – Our lives are transformed when we use the spiritual gifts to serve the body of Christ. We have received the Holy Spirit in our baptism and confirmation, and underwent a Pentecostal experience during our baptism in the spirit (LSS). Equipped with spiritual gifts, we are expected to be part in promoting God’s kingdom. We are bestowed with different gifts and talents so that we can accomplish our unique role in the body of Christ, not only for ourselves but for the benefit of others. So, we need to entrust ourselves to the Holy Spirit that He may use us in wonderful and awesome ways.

Christian life is much more effective and fruitful when we use God’s given gifts as tools in doing ministry and mission work. Although we received all the spiritual gifts, they are given in varying measure. St. Paul tells us, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us,”(Rom 12:6). This helps us act with humility and not think highly of ourselves as greatly gifted people, else we are in danger of pride or boasting. St. Paul says that any distinction that sets us apart from others in ability is owing to grace, freely given and not earned or deserved. “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord,” (1 Cor 1:31).

What is essential is that if we see ourselves as gifted people, we are encouraged to share that gift with others. In the Catechism of the Catholic Church (#737) it is stated, “The Spirit prepares men and goesout to them with His grace, in order to draw them to Christ.”When we use the spiritual gifts God has given us, we will be able to operate optimally with minimum frustration, and we will find the true area for which God has gifted us. Our gift may look small, but as part of the revelation of God’s infinite glory it takes on an amazing significance. There is nothing more meaningful and joyful than to find the importance of our role in the building of God’s kingdom.

As gifted people, there is no fear or discouragement because we always carry with us the assurance of Jesus Christ that “The Holy Spirit… will teach you everything that I told you,”(Jn 14:26). The Advocate will always be with us as we are sent to break the barriers of disunity in the Church by proclaiming the Gospel in words and in action.

Prayer:
O Holy Spirit, teach me to use Your gifts to bring love, joy and peace to everyone I meet. Grant me the grace that I continue to rely on Your counsel than on my own abilities in doing the tasks I am called to do. Inspire and motivate me that I can be an effective laborer in the Church accomplishing the mission that Jesus has commissioned me to do. Amen.

Reflection Guide Questions:
1. Are the gifts of the Holy Spirit manifested in your daily life? How are you using your spiritual gifts to inspire people around you?

2. How does the power of the Holy Spirit help you in serving others?

This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
June 9, 2019 (Sun) – Acts 2:14-11/Ps 104:1, 24, 29, 30/1Cor 12:3-7, 12, 13/Jn 20:19-23
June 10, 2019 (Mon)-2Cor 1:1-7/Ps 34:2-9/Mt 5:1-12
June 11, 2019 (Tue)-Acts 11:21-26; 13:1-3/Ps 98:1-6/Mt 5:13-16
June 12, 2019 (Wed)-2Cor 3:4-11/Ps 99:5-9/Mt 5:17-19
June 13, 2019 (Thu)-2Cor 3:15-4:1, 3-6/Ps 85:9-14/Mt 5:20-26
June 14, 2019 (Fri)- 2Cor 4:7-15/Ps 116:1-18/Mt 5:27-32
June 15, 2019 (Sat) – 2Cor 5:14-21/Ps 103:1-4, 9, 12/Mt 5:33-37

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