May 28, 2023
Acts 2:1-11
Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34
1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13
John 20:19-23
Pentecost Sunday
The Lord our God draws all of creation to oneness. All things are meant to be in peace, balance, and harmony.
Saint Irenaeus, bishop (born 130AD), wrote the Holy Spirit is like moisture added to dry flour that forms a lump of dough that forms a loaf of bread. Without the Holy Spirit, “we who are many could not become one in Christ Jesus without the water that comes down from heaven.” (From Treatise Against Heresies) He goes on to say, “Through the baptism that liberates us from change and decay we have become one in body; through the Spirit we have become one in soul.”
The Holy Spirit spans the globe. When Jesus was on earth, as true man, he could only be in one place at one time. The Acts of the Apostles makes known the Spirit is the source of powerful witness to the unity God the Father calls us to. It brings about a diversity of function without threat to unity. Thus Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12, “To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.”
In the Old Testament scriptures, to be filled with the Spirit meant the person was called to make known the fulfillment of the promise. The fulfillment of the promise is the Good News.
When the Spirit’s presence is recognized, as in the Acts of the Apostles, it is dynamic, alive! It is characterized by a strong driving wind and tongues of fire. It drives the people who were present forward. They are empowered and enabled to proclaim the Good News. As in 1 Corinthians 12, it says, “No one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit.” All gifts are given to make God known. Therefore, everyone has some purpose and value in God’s kingdom. Everyone is valuable and all are directed toward the one end of making the fulfillment of the promise known. Together, we accomplish all of this as the gathered people, the Church.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches Pentecost is the beginning of the Age of the Church. Jesus Christ makes present, manifest and communicates his work of salvation through the Liturgy of his Church until he comes again. In concrete, visible ways he is known through the sacraments. The sacraments are part of the common Tradition of Christians in the Church from East to West.
In short, as Church, we are one, holy, catholic. and apostolic. Through the dynamic presence of God in the community the members discern their vocations. Each will add his or her value to the community as a whole. The Holy Spirit holds all together even as each new gifted person is added. The community is engaged and involved. No one is intended to be left out unless he or she decides not to participate.
The Church must go on and so it does. The Holy Spirit continues to lead, guide, and energize us as Church to carry on the witness to God’s loving presence in our time and space. Christ reigns through the Holy Spirit now and forever. We continue to give witness to the existence of God and to his wonderful love for us. So how is it we may feel frustrated and confused at certain periods in history, even now?
Confusion and frustration can occur when we allow ourselves to be divided. Spiritual elitism, prejudice between ethnic groups, injustice among wealthy and poor and so on. Have you been confused and frustrated? Is it attributable to some elitism or prejudice? Examine your conscience. We are all responsible for our own behavior. But God will help.
Paul reminds us (1 Cor) of the revelation given to us and maintained in the Holy Spirit. Everyone has been baptized into the one Jesus Christ. All gifts have a common origin and a common purpose. They are to be used to bring all of creation together into harmony. As the Gospel shows (Jn. 20) peace comes to those who accept the revelation of the Holy Spirit.
Accept the Spirit as the one who maintains the presence of Jesus Christ among us. Let us find unity in the Spirit as the seed that can hold us together, that moisture that comes down from heaven. If we are determined to seek unity around the Lord, we surely can resist elitism, prejudice, injustice between the rich and poor and all other divisive attitudes and behavior. Pray to the Lord and rely on the Holy Spirit to tie all things together and to bring about greater peace, balance, and harmony for us all.
Saint Irenaeus, bishop (born 130AD), wrote the Holy Spirit is like moisture added to dry flour that forms a lump of dough that forms a loaf of bread. Without the Holy Spirit, “we who are many could not become one in Christ Jesus without the water that comes down from heaven.” (From Treatise Against Heresies) He goes on to say, “Through the baptism that liberates us from change and decay we have become one in body; through the Spirit we have become one in soul.”
The Holy Spirit spans the globe. When Jesus was on earth, as true man, he could only be in one place at one time. The Acts of the Apostles makes known the Spirit is the source of powerful witness to the unity God the Father calls us to. It brings about a diversity of function without threat to unity. Thus Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12, “To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.”
In the Old Testament scriptures, to be filled with the Spirit meant the person was called to make known the fulfillment of the promise. The fulfillment of the promise is the Good News.
When the Spirit’s presence is recognized, as in the Acts of the Apostles, it is dynamic, alive! It is characterized by a strong driving wind and tongues of fire. It drives the people who were present forward. They are empowered and enabled to proclaim the Good News. As in 1 Corinthians 12, it says, “No one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit.” All gifts are given to make God known. Therefore, everyone has some purpose and value in God’s kingdom. Everyone is valuable and all are directed toward the one end of making the fulfillment of the promise known. Together, we accomplish all of this as the gathered people, the Church.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches Pentecost is the beginning of the Age of the Church. Jesus Christ makes present, manifest and communicates his work of salvation through the Liturgy of his Church until he comes again. In concrete, visible ways he is known through the sacraments. The sacraments are part of the common Tradition of Christians in the Church from East to West.
In short, as Church, we are one, holy, catholic. and apostolic. Through the dynamic presence of God in the community the members discern their vocations. Each will add his or her value to the community as a whole. The Holy Spirit holds all together even as each new gifted person is added. The community is engaged and involved. No one is intended to be left out unless he or she decides not to participate.
The Church must go on and so it does. The Holy Spirit continues to lead, guide, and energize us as Church to carry on the witness to God’s loving presence in our time and space. Christ reigns through the Holy Spirit now and forever. We continue to give witness to the existence of God and to his wonderful love for us. So how is it we may feel frustrated and confused at certain periods in history, even now?
Confusion and frustration can occur when we allow ourselves to be divided. Spiritual elitism, prejudice between ethnic groups, injustice among wealthy and poor and so on. Have you been confused and frustrated? Is it attributable to some elitism or prejudice? Examine your conscience. We are all responsible for our own behavior. But God will help.
Paul reminds us (1 Cor) of the revelation given to us and maintained in the Holy Spirit. Everyone has been baptized into the one Jesus Christ. All gifts have a common origin and a common purpose. They are to be used to bring all of creation together into harmony. As the Gospel shows (Jn. 20) peace comes to those who accept the revelation of the Holy Spirit.
Accept the Spirit as the one who maintains the presence of Jesus Christ among us. Let us find unity in the Spirit as the seed that can hold us together, that moisture that comes down from heaven. If we are determined to seek unity around the Lord, we surely can resist elitism, prejudice, injustice between the rich and poor and all other divisive attitudes and behavior. Pray to the Lord and rely on the Holy Spirit to tie all things together and to bring about greater peace, balance, and harmony for us all.
Peace and Blessings,
Father Bob
Scripture Sharing
Come and join with people of faith and break open the Sacred Scriptures for next Sunday. Come to Scripture Sharing. In just one hour you will not only read the Sunday passages from the Bible but be guided in doing so. You will learn how to read the scriptures for each Sunday, and you will approach the Sunday Liturgy with a greater appreciation. That is, you will celebrate better on Sunday than you did before coming to Scripture Sharing.
Join us for Scripture Sharing Thursday evening at 7PM to 8PM.
Some prayer and song will be in the mix too.
Join us for Scripture Sharing Thursday evening at 7PM to 8PM.
Some prayer and song will be in the mix too.
Sacraments of Christian Initiation
Make time During the day....
1. Thanksgiving. As you awake give thanks for life, relative health, the day, etc. Just express gratitude.
2. Pray for Insight. As your day gets going such as arrival at school or at work pray for direction, wisdom, and discernment from God. Ask that God guides you through the day and that He enlightens you.
3. “Where Is God?” After Lunch reflect on what has occupied your mind during the morning. How have you been asked to act based on how God has guided you up to this point. This will give direction for the rest of the day.
4. Petitions. Look at the day’s experiences and ask God’s grace to touch all the day’s situations. For example, what people entered into your life that can use God’s love?
5. Reflection and resolution. What elements of the day gave glory to God? What do you need to do tomorrow to give glory to God? In what way can you reform what you did today to do so?
Whatever you do to pray, be persistent.
2. Pray for Insight. As your day gets going such as arrival at school or at work pray for direction, wisdom, and discernment from God. Ask that God guides you through the day and that He enlightens you.
3. “Where Is God?” After Lunch reflect on what has occupied your mind during the morning. How have you been asked to act based on how God has guided you up to this point. This will give direction for the rest of the day.
4. Petitions. Look at the day’s experiences and ask God’s grace to touch all the day’s situations. For example, what people entered into your life that can use God’s love?
5. Reflection and resolution. What elements of the day gave glory to God? What do you need to do tomorrow to give glory to God? In what way can you reform what you did today to do so?
Whatever you do to pray, be persistent.
Click on the links below for more information
This Weeks Scripture Readings
June 4, 2023
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
Reading 1
Ex 34:4b-6, 8-9
Early in the morning Moses went up Mount Sinai
as the LORD had commanded him,
taking along the two stone tablets.
Having come down in a cloud, the LORD stood with Moses there
and proclaimed his name, "LORD."
Thus the LORD passed before him and cried out,
"The LORD, the LORD, a merciful and gracious God,
slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity."
Moses at once bowed down to the ground in worship.
Then he said, "If I find favor with you, O Lord,
do come along in our company.
This is indeed a stiff-necked people; yet pardon our wickedness and sins,
and receive us as your own."
as the LORD had commanded him,
taking along the two stone tablets.
Having come down in a cloud, the LORD stood with Moses there
and proclaimed his name, "LORD."
Thus the LORD passed before him and cried out,
"The LORD, the LORD, a merciful and gracious God,
slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity."
Moses at once bowed down to the ground in worship.
Then he said, "If I find favor with you, O Lord,
do come along in our company.
This is indeed a stiff-necked people; yet pardon our wickedness and sins,
and receive us as your own."
Responsorial Psalm
Dn 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56
R. (52b) Glory and praise for ever!
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever;
And blessed is your holy and glorious name,
praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages.
R. Glory and praise for ever!
Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory,
praiseworthy and glorious above all forever.
R. Glory and praise for ever!
Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.
R. Glory and praise for ever!
Blessed are you who look into the depths
from your throne upon the cherubim,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.
R. Glory and praise for ever!
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever;
And blessed is your holy and glorious name,
praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages.
R. Glory and praise for ever!
Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory,
praiseworthy and glorious above all forever.
R. Glory and praise for ever!
Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.
R. Glory and praise for ever!
Blessed are you who look into the depths
from your throne upon the cherubim,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.
R. Glory and praise for ever!
Reading 2
2 Cor 13:11-13
Brothers and sisters, rejoice.
Mend your ways, encourage one another,
agree with one another, live in peace,
and the God of love and peace will be with you.
Greet one another with a holy kiss.
All the holy ones greet you.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ
and the love of God
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.
Mend your ways, encourage one another,
agree with one another, live in peace,
and the God of love and peace will be with you.
Greet one another with a holy kiss.
All the holy ones greet you.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ
and the love of God
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.
Alleluia
Cf. Rv 1:8
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit;
to God who is, who was, and who is to come.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit;
to God who is, who was, and who is to come.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Gospel
Jn 3:16-18
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him might not perish
but might have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world might be saved through him.
Whoever believes in him will not be condemned,
but whoever does not believe has already been condemned,
because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
so that everyone who believes in him might not perish
but might have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world might be saved through him.
Whoever believes in him will not be condemned,
but whoever does not believe has already been condemned,
because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
Scripture Readings for:
June 4, 2023
Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ
Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ
The Jesus Prayer...
Lord Jesus Christ
have Mercy on me a Poor Sinner.
have Mercy on me a Poor Sinner.