May 20, 2018: Pentecost Sunday

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: John: 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.”

Reflection:

Let’s begin by noticing that the people were assembled to celebrate Pentecost. Pentecost is a Jewish feast 50 days after Passover as is our Pentecost 50 days after Easter. Try to put yourself in the experience. Let your ears hear the sounds of a crowd of strangers from all over the world hearing a few men talking and everybody able to hear them in their own language. There are shouts of place names, native languages, amazement, and consternation. As long as we are using our imagination we imagine Jesus suddenly appearing in the middle of that confusion, saying, “Peace be with you.” Showing us his hands and feet, helping us to realize he is risen. Then we can hear the words of Paul: “you are the body of Christ.” Each of us has a role: student, teacher, mother, father, grandparent, sister, brother. A unique place, a unique job to do minute by minute — led by the Spirit who acted so powerfully on Pentecost. Can we really believe the power given to us to change the world?

Action:

Read the Sequence slowly and carefully. Take time to appreciate its poetry and deep meaning. It is such a beautiful poem prayer! Perhaps you’d like to memorize this poem. If you did you would have beautiful words to describe the action of the Holy Spirit anytime you wanted to meditate on it or explain it.