The power of the Holy Spirit transforms the hearts and minds of disciples, filling us with God’s grace and sending us forth to offer our lives as we follow the call of Christ.
Mass Readings – Pentecost Sunday, Mass during the Day
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Tag Archives: Pentecost
Pentecost: Come, Holy Spirit, and kindle in us the fire of your love! Catholic Inspiration
Study, Pray, Serve: Pentecost
Let’s explore some of the main themes for the Mass During the Day of Pentecost.
1st Reading – Acts of the Apostles 2:1-11
- Gathered together, the disciples are filled with the Holy Spirit and begin to speak in different languages.
- People from many different languages hear them speaking in their native tongue of the mighty acts of God.
Psalm – 104:1,24,29-30,31,34
- “Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.”
- God’s Spirit creates and renews the earth with life and glory.
2nd Reading – 1st Corinthians 12:3b-7,12-13
- There are different gifts, forms, and workings of the Holy Spirit given uniquely to each person.
- As a body is one through many parts, all the parts of the body are one.
- In Christ we are united in the Spirit into one body, whether Jew or Greek, slave or free person.
Gospel – John 20:19-23
- Although the doors are locked, Jesus appears to the disciples and says, “Peace be with you.”
- The Lord breathes on them saying, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
Mass Readings – Pentecost: Mass During the Day
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Study, Pray, Serve: Pentecost
There are LOTS of options for the Mass Readings for Pentecost, including the Vigil Mass and the Mass During the Day. Here is a short summary:
VIGIL MASS
1st Reading Options
- Genesis 11:1-9 – The Tower of Babel
- Exodus 19:3-8,16-20b – Moses encounters God on Mount Sinai
- Ezekiel 37:1-14 – Ezekiel prophesizes over the dry bones
- Joel 3:1-5 – God will pour out the Spirit upon all creation
Psalm Options
- Psalm 33 – “Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.”
- Daniel 3:52-56 – “Glory and praise forever!”
- Psalm 19 – “Lord you have the words of everlasting life.”
- Psalm 107 – “Give thanks to the Lord; his love is everlasting.”
- Psalm 104 – “Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.”
2nd Reading – Romans 8:22-27 – The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness
Gospel – John 7:37-39 – Jesus refers to the Spirit
MASS DURING THE DAY
1st Reading – Acts 2:1-11 – The Spirit comes upon the Apostles
Psalm 104 – Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.”
2nd Reading Options
- 1st Corinthians 12:3b-7,12-13 – There are different gifts, but the same Spirit
- Romans 8:8-17 – The Spirit of God dwells in you
Gospel Options
- John 20:19-23 – The disciples receive the Holy Spirit from Jesus
- John 14:15-16,23b-26 – The Father will send the Holy Spirit
Mass Readings – Mass During the Day
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Pentecost
Study: Where in my life have I experienced God’s grace and strength?
Pray: What particular needs in my life call for the help of the Holy Spirit?
Serve: Where can I use the gifts God has given me to serve another right now?
Mass Readings – Vigil of Pentecost
The image St. Paul uses in the 2nd reading this weekend is a body. Composed of different parts which do unique and special functions, the body is united when all the parts come together. So, too, all of us are united into the Body of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. Look at these themes from Pentecost Mass Readings of the Day:
- The Spirit gives power to communicate across barriers of race and tongue (1st Reading)
- The Spirit gives life and renews the face of the earth (Psalm response)
- The Spirit gives different gifts to people for different needs (2nd Reading)
- The Spirit is breathed on the disciples by Jesus (Gospel)
In other words, the Holy Spirit unites people, renews life, provides unique gifts, and is granted to the Church by Christ. This is the day that the disciples were empowered to continue the mission of Jesus; filled with the Spirit they will witness the Good News of the Lord through their words and actions.
Their example becomes our model. The same Spirit that changed their lives comes to us. The same Spirit that gave them the grace and strength to go forth gives us the power we need to offer our lives for Christ. God continues to invite us to serve, and the Lord pours forth the Holy Spirit to help us carry out the work of this day.
Are there barriers in our life? Come Holy Spirit!
Are there parts of life in need of renewal? Come Holy Spirit!
Are there gifts we have that need to be used and directed? Come Holy Spirit!
Jesus freely gave the gift of the Spirit to his disciples – may we turn to the Lord with conviction that as we call for the Holy Spirit in our lives we will be given what we need for the work of this day.
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.
V. Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created.
R. And You shall renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray.
O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
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Note: This post was first published on May 29, 2017.
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Pentecost: Call upon the Holy Spirit! Catholic Inspiration
The Holy Spirit comes to unite us to God and one another, breaking down the walls of isolation and division, and leading us to cooperation as Sons an Daughters of God. Where do you see dissent and disunity in your life? Call upon the Spirit!
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Pentecost
Study: Reflect on a time when you encountered a difficult experience. Where did you find your strength?
Pray: Ask for the Holy Spirit to help you, especially to unite with others in challenging situations.
Serve: How can you help foster unity in your life? What can you do to bring people together?
Mass Readings – Pentecost Vigil
It can be somewhat confusing to know what readings to follow – depending on the day and the options available a person can hear a number of different Scripture readings this weekend. Stepping back for a moment, however, we can tease out some major themes that surface on this important feast of the Church:
- Power – to face what comes before us with God’s strength
- Unity – to join together beyond boundaries and divisions
In many respects this feast marks the birthday of the Church. The disciples, having watched the Lord ascend to Heaven, are now “on their own” to carry out the Good News of Christ. The point, of course, is that they are not alone! Filled with the Holy Spirit their hearts are transformed and their lives forever changed. They have become willing instruments empowered by the Spirit to speak and act for the glory of God. They don’t look anything like their former selves – timid, fearful, and self-serving; they now fearlessly engage the world with the conviction that Jesus is Lord.
And as they are strengthened by the Spirit one sign increasingly becomes apparent – the unity of believers as a self evident sign that God’s grace is at work. Several approaches underscore this sense of unity:
- Understanding one another beyond the challenge of language
- Working together as a body does with its many parts
- Becoming spiritually fruitful
- Forgiveness with one another
Language, cooperation, fruitfulness, and forgiveness are all hallmarks of the Spirit’s presence in our lives. All are crucial and take an enormous amount of effort – supported by the POWER of the Holy Spirit!
Is there a place in our lives today that would benefit from unity? Are there relationships and situations that require healing and strength to grow? Do we recognize circumstances (perhaps beyond our control) that cry out for the Lord’s intervention? If so, then we can confidently turn to the Spirit for the grace we need to face what lies before us.
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth. O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit did instruct the hearts of the faithful , grant that by the same Spirit we may be truly wise, and ever rejoice in his consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen!
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Note: This post was first published on May 19, 2015.
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Pentecost: The Power of the Holy Spirit. Catholic Inspiration
Like a power tool, our lives come alive with the power of the Holy Spirit when we:
- Stay connected to Christ
- Live each day with conviction
- Recognize the unique contributions of one another
Come Holy Spirit! Fill our hearts with the fire of your love!
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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The Feast of Pentecost
Study: Where in my life have I experienced God’s grace and strength?
Pray: What particular needs in my life call for the help of the Holy Spirit?
Serve: Where can I use the gifts God has given me to serve another right now?
Mass Readings – Vigil of Pentecost
The image St. Paul uses in the 2nd reading this weekend is a body. Composed of different parts which do unique and special functions, the body is united when all the parts come together. So, too, all of us are united into the Body of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. Look at these themes from Pentecost Mass Readings of the Day:
- The Spirit gives power to communicate across barriers of race and tongue (1st Reading)
- The Spirit gives life and renews the face of the earth (Psalm response)
- The Spirit gives different gifts to people for different needs (2nd Reading)
- The Spirit is breathed on the disciples by Jesus (Gospel)
In other words, the Holy Spirit unites people, renews life, provides unique gifts, and is granted to the Church by Christ. This is the day that the disciples were empowered to continue the mission of Jesus; filled with the Spirit they will witness the Good News of the Lord through their words and actions.
Their example becomes our model. The same Spirit that changed their lives comes to us. The same Spirit that gave them the grace and strength to go forth gives us the power we need to offer our lives for Christ. God continues to invite us to serve, and the Lord pours forth the Holy Spirit to help us carry out the work of this day.
Are there barriers in our life? Come Holy Spirit!
Are there parts of life in need of renewal? Come Holy Spirit!
Are there gifts we have that need to be used and directed? Come Holy Spirit!
Jesus freely gave the gift of the Spirit to his disciples – may we turn to the Lord with conviction that as we call for the Holy Spirit in our lives we will be given what we need for the work of this day.
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.
V. Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created.
R. And You shall renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray.
O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
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Pentecost
Study: Reflect on a time when you have experienced God’s grace first hand. How did the Lord help you?
Pray: Is there a situation or circumstance that seems bigger than you can handle? Call upon the Holy Spirit!
Serve: Check your heart…is the Spirit prompting you to help someone else right now? If so, how?
Pentecost Readings for Vigil Mass
Pentecost Readings for Mass during the Day
Question: Where do people get their strength to live their faith?
Answer: The Holy Spirit!
On this day we celebrate the infusion of grace that came upon the apostles following the Ascension of Christ into Heaven. The Lord said that he would ask the Father to send the Spirit – that the Church might always be guided and protected – with power and glory.
This is the Spirit that renews hearts that are weak and wounded. This is the Spirit that brings hope to those who are crushed with despair and fear. This is the Spirit that triumphs over the darkness of sin and restores our relationships with God and one another.
Let’s be clear: we can’t do it alone. We’re not suppose to! We are utterly and completely dependent on God: for our lives; our talents; and our opportunities to serve. The Spirit comes to us with the grace and strength that we need to fulfill the gift of life, giving glory to the Almighty for all that we have.
What’s more, we are called to communion – leaning on and supporting one another – and with the help of the Holy Spirit we deepen our relationships and reconcile when division and obstacles appear. Simply put, the Holy Spirit empowers us to live our lives at full power.
Call on the Spirit in your life. Ask the Holy Spirit for the wisdom, strength, and courage you need for whatever tasks are before you. This Spirit has been present to the Church since Pentecost, and this Spirit continues to empower and transform our lives today.
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Pentecost – Unifying Power – Catholic Inspiration
Fr. Andrew’s Pentecost Homily Podcast
This homily was given at St. William Church in Foxboro, WI on May 23, 2015.
Like a gentle rain that nourishes and renews the earth, the Holy Spirit comes upon the world to bring life. The power of the Holy Spirit showers graces into our hearts with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. This happens in two profound ways:
- As individuals we are uniquely blessed with our gifts and talents
- As community we unite and support each other
A simple diagnostic tool: where do I see unity in my life? Where unity is present, we can build and grow stronger with the Spirit’s power. Where it is absent, we have the opportunity to call upon the Spirit for healing and transformation. Either way, come Holy Spirit!
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Three Great Things 