Pentecost Sunday (Cycle C, Year II)
Community Word: The Holy Spirit is the Breath of God and the Power who transforms our life in Christ.
Theme: Our life is transformed when the gifts and the fruit of the Holy Spirit are in us.
Promise: “When you send forth your spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth.” (Ps 104:30)
Reflection:
Pentecost is the birth of the Church when the Holy Spirit empowered the apostles to continue Christ’s mission on earth, in fulfillment of Jesus final instructions before going back to the Father: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses…to the ends of the earth,” (Acts1:8).
To this day, we celebrate the presence of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of every Christian who believes in God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, by way of the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation, and in the Life in the Spirit experience to renew our faith. The presence of the Holy Spirit is God Himself, the Creator and Giver of life, who redeems and blesses. The Holy Spirit is the source of all spiritual gifts and the fruit of His spirit brings us in unity with the Church. He is the guide to the Truth, allowing believers to witness to Jesus Christ and bringing glory to God. The presence of the Holy Spirit enables us to enjoy God’s precious gifts.
To receive the gifts and fruit of the Holy Spirit requires openness to accept Him in our hearts. His power brings in us an inner transformation to become a new creation in Christ, to walk the road of holiness and be Christ-like in heart and character, to be cleansed from the old life of unrighteousness and be pure, to live in the Spirit not of the flesh, for “those who are in the flesh cannot please God,” (Rom 8:8).
The Holy Spirit brings us peace, the peace and joy that cannot be explained by this world. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus transforms our hearts of stone to hearts of flesh which allows us to forgive and to extend that forgiveness to one another. If we desire peace and live in unity, we must learn to forgive so that the Holy Spirit can work mightily and then the flood gate of God’s graces may be opened to us. As children and heirs of God’s Kingdom, the Holy Spirit keeps us connected to God. He fills our hearts with the love of God (cf. Rom 5:7) and gives us strength and courage we need to live as faith-filled followers of Jesus. He helps us in our weakness (cf. Rom 8:26) and enables us to grow in spiritual freedom, freedom from doubt, fear and from slavery to our unruly desires (cf. 2 Cor 3:17; Rom 8:21). The Spirit instructs us in the ways of God and guides us in living according to God’s will.
The action of the Holy Spirit through His many spiritual gifts, and the fruit of the spirit that are produced, is transformative because it is His role to be our Teacher and Advocate. Jesus tells us – “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name – he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you,” (Jn 14:26). In our sacramental baptism and renewal experience, we have received the Holy Spirit. By His gifts, we are truly empowered to love and keep God’s commandments, and His indwelling renews us into a new creation as we embrace this promise – “When you send forth your spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth,” (Ps 104:30). The Holy Spirit can fashion mankind into a beautiful family of nations, races, and cultures where both joys and sufferings are shared in brotherly solidarity.
Prayer:
Almighty Father, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit who is with us in every aspect of our lives. By Your Spirit, we bear witness that we are Your children and joint heirs with Your Son, Jesus Christ. Lord Jesus, thank You for sending us Your Spirit to be our Advocate that we may continue to grow in faith, hope and love. Thank you for loving us and making us dwell in Your love through the empowerment of Your Spirit.
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and enkindle us with the fire of Your love. Remain in us for without You we cannot do anything good in our life. Fill us with Your grace that we may live a holy life. Cleanse us and have Your way within us. Come, pour out Your Spirit and fill us with Your love.
Reflection Questions:
- Are the gifts of the Holy Spirit manifested in your daily life? How are you using your spiritual gifts to inspire and up-build people around you?
- How does the power of the Holy Spirit help you in serving others?
This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
June 5, 2022 (Sun) – Acts 2:14-11/ Ps 104:1, 24, 29, 30/ 1 Cor 12:3-7, 12, 13/ Jn 20:19-23
June 6, 2022 (Mon) – Gn 3:9-15, 20/ Ps 87:1-2, 3, 5, 6-7/ Jn 19:25-34
June 7, 2022 (Tue) – 1 Kgs 17:7-16/ Ps 4:2-3, 4-5, 7-8/ Mt 5:13-16
June 8, 2022 (Wed) –1 Kgs 18:20-39/ Ps 15:1-2, 4, 5, 8, 11/ Mt 5:17-19
June 9, 2022 (Thu) – 1 Kgs 18:42-46/ Ps 65:10, 11, 12-13/ Mt 5:20-26
June 10, 2022 (Fri) – 1 Kgs 19:9, 11-16/ Ps 27:7-8, 8-9, 13-14/ Mt 5:27-32
June 11, 2022 (Sat) – Acts 11:21-26, 13:1-3/ Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6/ Mt 5:20-26
“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”
