Jun72019
Solemnity of Pentecost
This Sunday (June 9), the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Pentecost. In the Gospel of St. John, our Lord sends the disciples out into the world and then breathes on them bestowing the gift of the Holy Spirit. The order of these two events is significant. By giving the gift of the Holy Spirit after He has sent forth His disciples, the Lord reminds us that the Holy Spirit is essential for a successful mission. On the day of our baptism we began our mission in the Holy Spirit. At Confirmation, the Holy Spirit offered to us seven gifts to assist us in this mission. Our challenge is to use these gifts so that we can transform the world. I pray that the Holy Spirit will allow each one of us to renew our parishes and diocese. As we immerse ourselves in this renewal, the Holy Spirit gives us peace and promotes unity. Jesus reminds us in the Gospel that His gift is peace, “Peace be with you.” In the Second Reading from 1 Corinthians, St. Paul speaks of the unity we share as members of the Body of Christ, “For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body.” We all pray for that peace and unity in our diocese. We say that Pentecost is the birthday of the Church because if the Apostles had not received the Holy Spirit, the Church would not have been established. From that day until today, the Holy Spirit continues to guide the Church as the Paraclete. This is a Greek word which means one who stands beside another in order to support and console. “We have an advocate to assist us in our spiritual journey and to bring us peace and joy” (Pope Francis). Come Holy Spirit!
Category: Publications
Posted by: Margaret