May 19, 2024 - Pentecost
May you continue to be aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life, empowering you to live the life of a child of God and a disciple of the Lord Jesus.
Today we celebrate Pentecost Sunday. This day speaks about life-giving on the part of Another Who shares a part of Himself with us so that we can grow into the person we are called to be. The Holy Spirit has encouraged, and inspired, us to live out our full potential and has empowered us to do our best, not just for ourselves, but also for the GOoD of others. We should rejoice today that we have received life in the Spirit because of the gifting of the Holy Spirit. Today, because of the Holy Spirit’s presence in our midst, we celebrate life – a divine gift of love -- from One Who has loved us without counting the cost.
May you continue to be aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life, empowering you to live the life of a child of God and a disciple of the Lord Jesus.
Today we celebrate Pentecost Sunday. This day speaks about life-giving on the part of Another Who shares a part of Himself with us so that we can grow into the person we are called to be. The Holy Spirit has encouraged, and inspired, us to live out our full potential and has empowered us to do our best, not just for ourselves, but also for the GOoD of others. We should rejoice today that we have received life in the Spirit because of the gifting of the Holy Spirit. Today, because of the Holy Spirit’s presence in our midst, we celebrate life – a divine gift of love -- from One Who has loved us without counting the cost.
Readings can be obtained from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051924-day.cfm
Pentecost: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/franciscan-spirit-blog/pentecost-the-birthday-of-the-church
Saint Theophilus of Corte: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-theophilus-of-corte
Readings: Acts 2: 1-11; Psalm 104: 1, 24, 29-30, 34; 1 Corinthians 12: 3b-7; 12-13; John 20: 19-23
N. B. I have chosen to reflect on the readings for Pentecost Sunday rather than the readings from the Vigil of Pentecost and the
Second Reading from 1 Corinthians 12 rather than Romans 8. For the Gospel, I chose the reading from John 20: 19-23.
Today we celebrate Pentecost – the coming of the Holy Spirit, the birthday of the Church, the end of the Easter Season. Our readings speak of the gift of the Holy Spirit and what that means for the Church, i.e., us. Today is all part of the paschal (Easter) mystery. In fact, the Gospel reading comes from a Resurrection appearance on Easter Sunday afternoon.
In the First Reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Luke relates the coming of the demonstrable presence of the Holy Spirit. T he passage says that “they” [Mary, and the disciples of the Lord Jesus (including other women)] are gathered together behind lock doors as the image to right pictures the event. Their Master and Teacher has left them ten days ago, when He ascended into heaven. They are not sure what they should do. They are scared and confused. They have been promised that something special would happen. They wait with guarded optimism. [I like the image showing Mary and other women besides the apostles. I believe the “they” includes all the disciples including Mary and other women.]
All of the sudden they hear something that sounds like a powerful wind. They sense the unseen power in their midst. They are enlightened with tongues, as of fire, appearing over their heads. Their fear fades away and they have renewed strength, courage, and wisdom.
A parallel event happens in the Gospel. John gives us another account of the coming of the Holy Spirit on the disciples of Jesus. This takes place on Easter Sunday evening. Just as in the Pentecost story in the First Reading, the disciples of Jesus are gathered together behind lock doors. They sense an emptiness due to the absence of their Master and Teacher, Who was crucified three days before. They are confused and not sure what they should do. They are afraid to even go outside because they might be arrested. They have been promised that the presence of the Lord Jesus would be made manifest on this, the third day since His death.
All of the sudden Jesus stands before them. He comes in power and glory. They sense Jesus’ abiding presence. They start to put things together and realize they have nothing to fear, especially after Jesus speaks His first word to them: “Shalom!” Jesus then breathes on them and gives them the gift of the Holy Spirit.
What is amazing in both these accounts is the change that takes place in the lives of the disciples after receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. They become transformed individuals who are willing to step out in faith.
There are other more subtle parallels in the two accounts. One of these subtleties is the concept of Ruah, the Hebrew word for “Spirit.” Ruah also has other meanings: “Breath” or “Wind” – a power that cannot be seen, but whose effect can be experienced. This Ruah is the Ruah of GOD, the Breath of GOD that GOD breathed into Adam at his creation, giving him life (Genesis 2: 7). This Ruah is the Spirit of GOD that (Who) blew the Red Sea apart at the time of the Exodus (Exodus 14: 21). This Ruah is the breeze that (Whom) the prophet Elijah experienced when he was told that GOD was near (1 Kings 19: 12). This same Ruah is breathing new life into the disciples of the Lord Jesus making them strong, bold, and determined to carry on the work of Jesus.
The Spirit of GOD (Ruah YHWH – Πνεύμα του Θεού [Pneuma tou Theou]) blows where the Spirit wills. The Spirit transforms and gives life. The Spirit is not seen directly, but the Spirit is powerful in the ways the Spirit manifests the presence of GOD.
St. Paul, in the Second Reading (from 1 Corinthians) today, speaks about how the Holy Spirit affects the Church. It is by the power of the Spirit that believers can profess that “Jesus is Lord.”
It is the Spirit Who gives different gifts of service so the Body of Christ (the Church) can be edified (built up) and served. The different forms of service that come with the manifestation of the Spirit are for the benefit of the whole. We are all united in the common drink: the drink of the one Spirit (ἓν Πνευμα – hen Pneuma).
As I continue my faith journey, I am more and more impressed by the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life and the people around me. I am aware of GOD’s Spirit with me at times when I am writing these reflections or listening to a person who is sharing their problems with me. I might write something or say something. I think to myself, “Wow! From where did that come?” I know it is not me who came up with it. I realize the power of the Holy Spirit has used me to provide the words to the person who needed to hear the words that came out of my mouth or onto the monitor as I write, but the words were not really my words.
Another example of the presence of the Holy Spirit is the gathering (assembly – ekklesia – Church) of GOD’s people, not because we have to gather, but because we want to gather. Years ago on Pentecost Eve, I experienced that when the faith community gathered for a funeral. The church was filled to overflowing. We came together to lift up one of our members who had died and passed from this earthly life to the place prepared for him by Our Lord Jesus, in the home of our Abba-Father Who happens to be GOD. We also came together as a support to his wife and the family of the one who had passed on. Through the tears and fears, we sensed the presence of the Ruah of GOD as we sang and prayed and rejoiced in the life of the one who was now joined even more fully with the Risen Lord. A feeling of empowerment and challenge came upon us to carry on the ministry of the Lord Jesus as was manifested in the life of the one who had died, the one who had reflected, in various ways, what being a disciple of Jesus is all about – loving and caring service of others. The Ruah of GOD was evident and alive in the gathering in the church. We felt the presence of GOD’s Spirit, comforting, strengthening, consoling, and inspiring us to remember and continue the work of Jesus, even as we grieved over our loss of, and physical separation from, one of Jesus’ followers here on earth.
These are only a few examples of my awareness of the Spirit’s presence in my life. There are many more. When I am aware of the presence of the GOD Who is manifested in any one of three persons, it is then that I know what it means to be gifted by the Ruah (the Spirit) of GOD. The experience comes, and I know that I am in relationship with GOD. It is not my doing – it is the gift from GOD. That is what it means to be spiritual. It has nothing to do with me (other than my being aware of it), it has everything to do with GOD. It is transforming, empowering, enlightening. It is an awesome experience. And this awareness of the Spirit’s presence in our lives is something that each and every one has been promised. This is the gift that Jesus has left us. Let us continue to pray, “Veni, Sancte Spiritus! – Come, Holy Spirit.”
Blessed are You LORD GOD, ever one, yet also three. Through Your GOoDness, You manifest Yourself in so many ways, desiring that we be aware of Your presence in our lives. You come as Creator and loving Parent. You have come in flesh as our Master and Teacher, Who suffered and died for us. You come as the Ruah Who blows life into us and empowers us to walk the journey with others who are on the path to You. You breathe Your very being into our being and make us holy. We thank You for revealing Yourself to us so we can draw closer to You. We ask that You continue to come as Holy Ruah so that we can use the gifts You have given us for the edification and building up of the Body of Christ. May we work together to help one another as we travel along the path that leads to You. We make this prayer in the name of Jesus, Your Son and our Brother, Our Master, Who is one with You for ever and ever, for You are our one and only GOD: loving Abba, Risen Lord Jesus, and Holy Ruah-Spirit. Amen. Alleluia!
Songs of the Day: Holy Spirit by Planetshakers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBuRnb8qR38
Welcome, Holy Spirit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPyqkFWqwTE
Breathe on Me sung by Clint Brown:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ljgp7-mOuJE
Spirit of the Living GOD: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BagH-zTfnsQ
O Holy Spirit by Steve DuBeau: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PverrELXYk8
Veni Sancte Spiritus (Pentecost, Sequence)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6hqAfsHURo
Pentecost Sequence - Come, O Holy Spirit, Come:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKouNgRpaLY
Come Holy Spirit (Veni Sancte Spiritus) - John Michael Talbot:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnbkVf_XG8k
Video of the Day: Bishop Barron on the Holy Spirit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1INut0Gi09Q
Pentecost: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvLFQhQplKs
St. Theophilus of Corte: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIMa8f0acKk
© rjk, 12-14-22
Pentecost: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/franciscan-spirit-blog/pentecost-the-birthday-of-the-church
Saint Theophilus of Corte: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-theophilus-of-corte
Readings: Acts 2: 1-11; Psalm 104: 1, 24, 29-30, 34; 1 Corinthians 12: 3b-7; 12-13; John 20: 19-23
N. B. I have chosen to reflect on the readings for Pentecost Sunday rather than the readings from the Vigil of Pentecost and the
Second Reading from 1 Corinthians 12 rather than Romans 8. For the Gospel, I chose the reading from John 20: 19-23.
Today we celebrate Pentecost – the coming of the Holy Spirit, the birthday of the Church, the end of the Easter Season. Our readings speak of the gift of the Holy Spirit and what that means for the Church, i.e., us. Today is all part of the paschal (Easter) mystery. In fact, the Gospel reading comes from a Resurrection appearance on Easter Sunday afternoon.
In the First Reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Luke relates the coming of the demonstrable presence of the Holy Spirit. T he passage says that “they” [Mary, and the disciples of the Lord Jesus (including other women)] are gathered together behind lock doors as the image to right pictures the event. Their Master and Teacher has left them ten days ago, when He ascended into heaven. They are not sure what they should do. They are scared and confused. They have been promised that something special would happen. They wait with guarded optimism. [I like the image showing Mary and other women besides the apostles. I believe the “they” includes all the disciples including Mary and other women.]
All of the sudden they hear something that sounds like a powerful wind. They sense the unseen power in their midst. They are enlightened with tongues, as of fire, appearing over their heads. Their fear fades away and they have renewed strength, courage, and wisdom.
A parallel event happens in the Gospel. John gives us another account of the coming of the Holy Spirit on the disciples of Jesus. This takes place on Easter Sunday evening. Just as in the Pentecost story in the First Reading, the disciples of Jesus are gathered together behind lock doors. They sense an emptiness due to the absence of their Master and Teacher, Who was crucified three days before. They are confused and not sure what they should do. They are afraid to even go outside because they might be arrested. They have been promised that the presence of the Lord Jesus would be made manifest on this, the third day since His death.
All of the sudden Jesus stands before them. He comes in power and glory. They sense Jesus’ abiding presence. They start to put things together and realize they have nothing to fear, especially after Jesus speaks His first word to them: “Shalom!” Jesus then breathes on them and gives them the gift of the Holy Spirit.
What is amazing in both these accounts is the change that takes place in the lives of the disciples after receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. They become transformed individuals who are willing to step out in faith.
There are other more subtle parallels in the two accounts. One of these subtleties is the concept of Ruah, the Hebrew word for “Spirit.” Ruah also has other meanings: “Breath” or “Wind” – a power that cannot be seen, but whose effect can be experienced. This Ruah is the Ruah of GOD, the Breath of GOD that GOD breathed into Adam at his creation, giving him life (Genesis 2: 7). This Ruah is the Spirit of GOD that (Who) blew the Red Sea apart at the time of the Exodus (Exodus 14: 21). This Ruah is the breeze that (Whom) the prophet Elijah experienced when he was told that GOD was near (1 Kings 19: 12). This same Ruah is breathing new life into the disciples of the Lord Jesus making them strong, bold, and determined to carry on the work of Jesus.
The Spirit of GOD (Ruah YHWH – Πνεύμα του Θεού [Pneuma tou Theou]) blows where the Spirit wills. The Spirit transforms and gives life. The Spirit is not seen directly, but the Spirit is powerful in the ways the Spirit manifests the presence of GOD.
St. Paul, in the Second Reading (from 1 Corinthians) today, speaks about how the Holy Spirit affects the Church. It is by the power of the Spirit that believers can profess that “Jesus is Lord.”
It is the Spirit Who gives different gifts of service so the Body of Christ (the Church) can be edified (built up) and served. The different forms of service that come with the manifestation of the Spirit are for the benefit of the whole. We are all united in the common drink: the drink of the one Spirit (ἓν Πνευμα – hen Pneuma).
As I continue my faith journey, I am more and more impressed by the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life and the people around me. I am aware of GOD’s Spirit with me at times when I am writing these reflections or listening to a person who is sharing their problems with me. I might write something or say something. I think to myself, “Wow! From where did that come?” I know it is not me who came up with it. I realize the power of the Holy Spirit has used me to provide the words to the person who needed to hear the words that came out of my mouth or onto the monitor as I write, but the words were not really my words.
Another example of the presence of the Holy Spirit is the gathering (assembly – ekklesia – Church) of GOD’s people, not because we have to gather, but because we want to gather. Years ago on Pentecost Eve, I experienced that when the faith community gathered for a funeral. The church was filled to overflowing. We came together to lift up one of our members who had died and passed from this earthly life to the place prepared for him by Our Lord Jesus, in the home of our Abba-Father Who happens to be GOD. We also came together as a support to his wife and the family of the one who had passed on. Through the tears and fears, we sensed the presence of the Ruah of GOD as we sang and prayed and rejoiced in the life of the one who was now joined even more fully with the Risen Lord. A feeling of empowerment and challenge came upon us to carry on the ministry of the Lord Jesus as was manifested in the life of the one who had died, the one who had reflected, in various ways, what being a disciple of Jesus is all about – loving and caring service of others. The Ruah of GOD was evident and alive in the gathering in the church. We felt the presence of GOD’s Spirit, comforting, strengthening, consoling, and inspiring us to remember and continue the work of Jesus, even as we grieved over our loss of, and physical separation from, one of Jesus’ followers here on earth.
These are only a few examples of my awareness of the Spirit’s presence in my life. There are many more. When I am aware of the presence of the GOD Who is manifested in any one of three persons, it is then that I know what it means to be gifted by the Ruah (the Spirit) of GOD. The experience comes, and I know that I am in relationship with GOD. It is not my doing – it is the gift from GOD. That is what it means to be spiritual. It has nothing to do with me (other than my being aware of it), it has everything to do with GOD. It is transforming, empowering, enlightening. It is an awesome experience. And this awareness of the Spirit’s presence in our lives is something that each and every one has been promised. This is the gift that Jesus has left us. Let us continue to pray, “Veni, Sancte Spiritus! – Come, Holy Spirit.”
- The personal question/action for today: When have I experienced the Holy Ruah of GOD breathing life into me? How did I feel at that moment? What was the result of GOD’s Spirit being made evident in my life? What gift do I wish to receive from the Holy Spirit at this time in my life? How can I make use of this gift in the spread of Gospel (GOoD News)?
Blessed are You LORD GOD, ever one, yet also three. Through Your GOoDness, You manifest Yourself in so many ways, desiring that we be aware of Your presence in our lives. You come as Creator and loving Parent. You have come in flesh as our Master and Teacher, Who suffered and died for us. You come as the Ruah Who blows life into us and empowers us to walk the journey with others who are on the path to You. You breathe Your very being into our being and make us holy. We thank You for revealing Yourself to us so we can draw closer to You. We ask that You continue to come as Holy Ruah so that we can use the gifts You have given us for the edification and building up of the Body of Christ. May we work together to help one another as we travel along the path that leads to You. We make this prayer in the name of Jesus, Your Son and our Brother, Our Master, Who is one with You for ever and ever, for You are our one and only GOD: loving Abba, Risen Lord Jesus, and Holy Ruah-Spirit. Amen. Alleluia!
Songs of the Day: Holy Spirit by Planetshakers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBuRnb8qR38
Welcome, Holy Spirit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPyqkFWqwTE
Breathe on Me sung by Clint Brown:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ljgp7-mOuJE
Spirit of the Living GOD: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BagH-zTfnsQ
O Holy Spirit by Steve DuBeau: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PverrELXYk8
Veni Sancte Spiritus (Pentecost, Sequence)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6hqAfsHURo
Pentecost Sequence - Come, O Holy Spirit, Come:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKouNgRpaLY
Come Holy Spirit (Veni Sancte Spiritus) - John Michael Talbot:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnbkVf_XG8k
Video of the Day: Bishop Barron on the Holy Spirit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1INut0Gi09Q
Pentecost: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvLFQhQplKs
St. Theophilus of Corte: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIMa8f0acKk
© rjk, 12-14-22