Solemnity of the Pentecost

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim… yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues.... – Acts 2:4,11

            I thought that knowing English was enough for a preacher since it’s the universal language. But there were times when I found it hard to communicate in other countries because of the language barrier. But here’s what I noticed. Wherever I go, a hug is a hug. A kiss is a kiss. A handshake is a handshake. A bow is a bow. A smile is a smile. I realized that English is not the universal language — love is.

        On this day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles. They began speaking in their own tongues, speaking differently, yet they understood each other and were more united than ever. Why? Because the Holy Spirit is present. And where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is love. There is unity. There is understanding.

        Is there misunderstanding in your home, office or community? Maybe respect, compassion and trust are not present. You may speak the same language or dialect, but unless you love, you will never break the barriers of division, hatred and  selfishness.

        Just love. And you will understand. Then, hopefully, you will be understood. Velden Lim (veldenlim@gmail.com)

Reflection:In your most difficult relationship, what gets in the way? Is it pride? Selfishness? Hatred? Unforgiveness?

Lord, teach me to love even if it doesn’t seem fair or even make sense.

Blessed Angeline of Marsciano, pray for us.

What would it have been like to experience Pentecost? It was probably an extraordinary experience to be there with Mary and the Apostles. But reminiscing is not enough to live our faith. We have to go on and live life to the full. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to help us do this.

1 When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. 2 And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. 3 Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. 5 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem. 6 At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7 They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, “Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how does each of us hear them in his own native language? 9 We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as travelers from Rome, 11 both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.”

R: Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord, my God, you are great indeed! 24 How manifold are your works, O Lord! the earth is full of your creatures. (R) 31 May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord be glad in his works! 34 Pleasing to him be my theme; I will be glad in the Lord. (R) 29 If you take away their breath, they perish and return to their dust. 30 When you send forth your spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth. (R)

The gifts of the Holy Spirit enable us to contribute to the work of the Kingdom of God in many different ways. God’s work in the Church will suffer if we are lax in sharing our gifts and talents. Let us use our God-given gifts for His glory and to serve His people.

3 Brothers and sisters: No one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. 4 There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; 5 there are different forms of service but the same Lord; 6 there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. 7 To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. 12 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. 13 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.

God pours the Holy Spirit in our life to empower and enrich us with His gifts. In today’s Gospel by John, Jesus anoints His Apostles with the Holy Spirit. Let us thank God for the presence of the Holy Spirit who guides and leads us.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.

19 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.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”

think: What fears do you struggle with? Jesus greets you with His peace. Surrender your fears to Him today.

Read the Bible in one year 2 Samuel 13-14

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

thank You, Lord, for: ______________________________________________________

LIVING UNDER THE GRACE

OF THE SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit knows how to meet each of our needs. He comes to us in our individuality with the graces necessary for us to attain full lives of faith. What this means for you and me may be different. Should this be a problem for us? No! This is what makes life interesting and exciting.

       The variety of the gifts of the Spirit means that He manifests Himself in our lives in different ways. The individuality of the recipient of the Spirit means that we approach the grace of the Spirit in many different ways. What is important is that we all welcome the gifts of the Holy Spirit and allow Him to empower us as disciples of Jesus so that we can effectively live and proclaim the Gospel. This is the goal of the sacrament of baptism. It is generally understood that baptism underpins all the other sacraments in initiating us in the call to be disciples of Jesus, and to bring the Good News of Salvation to the ends of the earth.

       As long as we are listening and responding to God’s call and allowing the Holy Spirit to empower us in living God’s call, then that is what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. Let us rejoice that God raises up a diverse array of movements and communities to be able to proclaim the Gospel. Let us simply embrace our own calls and be faithful to them as best as we can, and pray that all others do the same thing. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

----------- REFLECTION QUESTION ----------

Do you tend to be critical of other individuals or groups rather than focus on your own response to God’s call?

Jesus, I pray for Your grace to help all men and women to respond to the call You place upon their lives so that Your will may be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.