Pentecost
Sunday (part I)
Pentecost Sunday
Vigil Mass
Lectionary: 62
Vigil Mass
Lectionary: 62
The whole world
spoke the same language, using the same words.
While the people were migrating in the east,
they came upon a valley in the land of Shinar and settled there.
They said to one another,
“Come, let us mold bricks and harden them with fire.”
They used bricks for stone, and bitumen for mortar.
Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city
and a tower with its top in the sky,
and so make a name for ourselves;
otherwise we shall be scattered all over the earth.”
The LORD came down to see the city and the tower
that the people had built.
Then the LORD said: “If now, while they are one people,
all speaking the same language,
they have started to do this,
nothing will later stop them from doing whatever they presume to do.
Let us then go down there and confuse their language,
so that one will not understand what another says.”
Thus the LORD scattered them from there all over the earth,
and they stopped building the city.
That is why it was called Babel,
because there the LORD confused the speech of all the world.
It was from that place that he scattered them all over the earth.
While the people were migrating in the east,
they came upon a valley in the land of Shinar and settled there.
They said to one another,
“Come, let us mold bricks and harden them with fire.”
They used bricks for stone, and bitumen for mortar.
Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city
and a tower with its top in the sky,
and so make a name for ourselves;
otherwise we shall be scattered all over the earth.”
The LORD came down to see the city and the tower
that the people had built.
Then the LORD said: “If now, while they are one people,
all speaking the same language,
they have started to do this,
nothing will later stop them from doing whatever they presume to do.
Let us then go down there and confuse their language,
so that one will not understand what another says.”
Thus the LORD scattered them from there all over the earth,
and they stopped building the city.
That is why it was called Babel,
because there the LORD confused the speech of all the world.
It was from that place that he scattered them all over the earth.
Moses went up the
mountain to God.
Then the LORD called to him and said,
“Thus shall you say to the house of Jacob;
tell the Israelites:
You have seen for yourselves how I treated the Egyptians
and how I bore you up on eagle wings
and brought you here to myself.
Therefore, if you hearken to my voice and keep my covenant,
you shall be my special possession,
dearer to me than all other people,
though all the earth is mine.
You shall be to me a kingdom of priests, a holy nation.
That is what you must tell the Israelites.”
So Moses went and summoned the elders of the people.
When he set before them
all that the LORD had ordered him to tell them,
the people all answered together,
“Everything the LORD has said, we will do.”
On the morning of the third day
there were peals of thunder and lightning,
and a heavy cloud over the mountain,
and a very loud trumpet blast,
so that all the people in the camp trembled.
But Moses led the people out of the camp to meet God,
and they stationed themselves at the foot of the mountain.
Mount Sinai was all wrapped in smoke,
for the LORD came down upon it in fire.
The smoke rose from it as though from a furnace,
and the whole mountain trembled violently.
The trumpet blast grew louder and louder, while Moses was speaking,
and God answering him with thunder.
When the LORD came down to the top of Mount Sinai,
he summoned Moses to the top of the mountain.
Then the LORD called to him and said,
“Thus shall you say to the house of Jacob;
tell the Israelites:
You have seen for yourselves how I treated the Egyptians
and how I bore you up on eagle wings
and brought you here to myself.
Therefore, if you hearken to my voice and keep my covenant,
you shall be my special possession,
dearer to me than all other people,
though all the earth is mine.
You shall be to me a kingdom of priests, a holy nation.
That is what you must tell the Israelites.”
So Moses went and summoned the elders of the people.
When he set before them
all that the LORD had ordered him to tell them,
the people all answered together,
“Everything the LORD has said, we will do.”
On the morning of the third day
there were peals of thunder and lightning,
and a heavy cloud over the mountain,
and a very loud trumpet blast,
so that all the people in the camp trembled.
But Moses led the people out of the camp to meet God,
and they stationed themselves at the foot of the mountain.
Mount Sinai was all wrapped in smoke,
for the LORD came down upon it in fire.
The smoke rose from it as though from a furnace,
and the whole mountain trembled violently.
The trumpet blast grew louder and louder, while Moses was speaking,
and God answering him with thunder.
When the LORD came down to the top of Mount Sinai,
he summoned Moses to the top of the mountain.
The hand of the
LORD came upon me,
and he led me out in the spirit of the LORD
and set me in the center of the plain,
which was now filled with bones.
He made me walk among the bones in every direction
so that I saw how many they were on the surface of the plain.
How dry they were!
He asked me:
Son of man, can these bones come to life?
I answered, “Lord GOD, you alone know that.”
Then he said to me:
Prophesy over these bones, and say to them:
Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD!
Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones:
See! I will bring spirit into you, that you may come to life.
I will put sinews upon you, make flesh grow over you,
cover you with skin, and put spirit in you
so that you may come to life and know that I am the LORD.
I, Ezekiel, prophesied as I had been told,
and even as I was prophesying I heard a noise;
it was a rattling as the bones came together, bone joining bone.
I saw the sinews and the flesh come upon them,
and the skin cover them, but there was no spirit in them.
Then the LORD said to me:
Prophesy to the spirit, prophesy, son of man,
and say to the spirit: Thus says the Lord GOD:
From the four winds come, O spirit,
and breathe into these slain that they may come to life.
I prophesied as he told me, and the spirit came into them;
they came alive and stood upright, a vast army.
Then he said to me:
Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel.
They have been saying,
“Our bones are dried up,
our hope is lost, and we are cut off.”
Therefore, prophesy and say to them: Thus says the Lord GOD:
O my people, I will open your graves
and have you rise from them,
and bring you back to the land of Israel.
Then you shall know that I am the LORD,
when I open your graves and have you rise from them,
O my people!
I will put my spirit in you that you may live,
and I will settle you upon your land;
thus you shall know that I am the LORD.
I have promised, and I will do it, says the LORD.
and he led me out in the spirit of the LORD
and set me in the center of the plain,
which was now filled with bones.
He made me walk among the bones in every direction
so that I saw how many they were on the surface of the plain.
How dry they were!
He asked me:
Son of man, can these bones come to life?
I answered, “Lord GOD, you alone know that.”
Then he said to me:
Prophesy over these bones, and say to them:
Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD!
Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones:
See! I will bring spirit into you, that you may come to life.
I will put sinews upon you, make flesh grow over you,
cover you with skin, and put spirit in you
so that you may come to life and know that I am the LORD.
I, Ezekiel, prophesied as I had been told,
and even as I was prophesying I heard a noise;
it was a rattling as the bones came together, bone joining bone.
I saw the sinews and the flesh come upon them,
and the skin cover them, but there was no spirit in them.
Then the LORD said to me:
Prophesy to the spirit, prophesy, son of man,
and say to the spirit: Thus says the Lord GOD:
From the four winds come, O spirit,
and breathe into these slain that they may come to life.
I prophesied as he told me, and the spirit came into them;
they came alive and stood upright, a vast army.
Then he said to me:
Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel.
They have been saying,
“Our bones are dried up,
our hope is lost, and we are cut off.”
Therefore, prophesy and say to them: Thus says the Lord GOD:
O my people, I will open your graves
and have you rise from them,
and bring you back to the land of Israel.
Then you shall know that I am the LORD,
when I open your graves and have you rise from them,
O my people!
I will put my spirit in you that you may live,
and I will settle you upon your land;
thus you shall know that I am the LORD.
I have promised, and I will do it, says the LORD.
Thus says the LORD:
I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh.
Your sons and daughters shall prophesy,
your old men shall dream dreams,
your young men shall see visions;
even upon the servants and the handmaids,
in those days, I will pour out my spirit.
And I will work wonders in the heavens and on the earth,
blood, fire, and columns of smoke;
the sun will be turned to darkness,
and the moon to blood,
at the coming of the day of the LORD,
the great and terrible day.
Then everyone shall be rescued
who calls on the name of the LORD;
for on Mount Zion there shall be a remnant,
as the LORD has said,
and in Jerusalem survivors
whom the LORD shall call.
I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh.
Your sons and daughters shall prophesy,
your old men shall dream dreams,
your young men shall see visions;
even upon the servants and the handmaids,
in those days, I will pour out my spirit.
And I will work wonders in the heavens and on the earth,
blood, fire, and columns of smoke;
the sun will be turned to darkness,
and the moon to blood,
at the coming of the day of the LORD,
the great and terrible day.
Then everyone shall be rescued
who calls on the name of the LORD;
for on Mount Zion there shall be a remnant,
as the LORD has said,
and in Jerusalem survivors
whom the LORD shall call.
R. (cf. 30) Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face
of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
O LORD, my God, you are great indeed!
You are clothed with majesty and glory,
robed in light as with a cloak.
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
How manifold are your works, O LORD!
In wisdom you have wrought them all—
the earth is full of your creatures;
bless the LORD, O my soul! Alleluia.
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Creatures all look to you
to give them food in due time.
When you give it to them, they gather it;
when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
If you take away their breath, they perish
and return to their dust.
When you send forth your spirit, they are created,
and you renew the face of the earth.
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
O LORD, my God, you are great indeed!
You are clothed with majesty and glory,
robed in light as with a cloak.
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
How manifold are your works, O LORD!
In wisdom you have wrought them all—
the earth is full of your creatures;
bless the LORD, O my soul! Alleluia.
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Creatures all look to you
to give them food in due time.
When you give it to them, they gather it;
when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
If you take away their breath, they perish
and return to their dust.
When you send forth your spirit, they are created,
and you renew the face of the earth.
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Brothers and
sisters:
We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now;
and not only that, but we ourselves,
who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,
we also groan within ourselves
as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.
For in hope we were saved.
Now hope that sees is not hope.
For who hopes for what one sees?
But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance.
In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness;
for we do not know how to pray as we ought,
but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.
And the one who searches hearts
knows what is the intention of the Spirit,
because he intercedes for the holy ones
according to God’s will.
We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now;
and not only that, but we ourselves,
who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,
we also groan within ourselves
as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.
For in hope we were saved.
Now hope that sees is not hope.
For who hopes for what one sees?
But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance.
In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness;
for we do not know how to pray as we ought,
but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.
And the one who searches hearts
knows what is the intention of the Spirit,
because he intercedes for the holy ones
according to God’s will.
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful
and kindle in them the fire of your love.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful
and kindle in them the fire of your love.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
On the last and
greatest day of the feast,
Jesus stood up and exclaimed,
“Let anyone who thirsts come to me and drink.
As Scripture says:
Rivers of living water will flow from within him who believes in me.”
He said this in reference to the Spirit
that those who came to believe in him were to receive.
There was, of course, no Spirit yet,
because Jesus had not yet been glorified.
Jesus stood up and exclaimed,
“Let anyone who thirsts come to me and drink.
As Scripture says:
Rivers of living water will flow from within him who believes in me.”
He said this in reference to the Spirit
that those who came to believe in him were to receive.
There was, of course, no Spirit yet,
because Jesus had not yet been glorified.
Pentecost Sunday
Mass during the Day
Lectionary: 63
Mass during the Day
Lectionary: 63
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.”
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.”
R. (cf. 30) Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face
of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
O LORD, my God, you are great indeed!
How manifold are your works, O LORD!
the earth is full of your creatures;
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
May the glory of the LORD endure forever;
may the LORD be glad in his works!
Pleasing to him be my theme;
I will be glad in the LORD.
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
If you take away their breath, they perish
and return to their dust.
When you send forth your spirit, they are created,
and you renew the face of the earth.
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
O LORD, my God, you are great indeed!
How manifold are your works, O LORD!
the earth is full of your creatures;
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
May the glory of the LORD endure forever;
may the LORD be glad in his works!
Pleasing to him be my theme;
I will be glad in the LORD.
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
If you take away their breath, they perish
and return to their dust.
When you send forth your spirit, they are created,
and you renew the face of the earth.
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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.
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.
Brothers and
sisters, live by the Spirit
and you will certainly not gratify the desire of the flesh.
For the flesh has desires against the Spirit,
and the Spirit against the flesh;
these are opposed to each other,
so that you may not do what you want.
But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Now the works of the flesh are obvious:
immorality, impurity, lust, idolatry,
sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy,
outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness,
dissensions, factions, occasions of envy,
drinking bouts, orgies, and the like.
I warn you, as I warned you before,
that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, generosity,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
Against such there is no law.
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their flesh
with its passions and desires.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit.
and you will certainly not gratify the desire of the flesh.
For the flesh has desires against the Spirit,
and the Spirit against the flesh;
these are opposed to each other,
so that you may not do what you want.
But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Now the works of the flesh are obvious:
immorality, impurity, lust, idolatry,
sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy,
outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness,
dissensions, factions, occasions of envy,
drinking bouts, orgies, and the like.
I warn you, as I warned you before,
that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, generosity,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
Against such there is no law.
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their flesh
with its passions and desires.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit.
Sequence — Veni, Sancte Spiritus
Come, Holy Spirit,
come!
And from your celestial home
Shed a ray of light divine!
Come, Father of the poor!
Come, source of all our store!
Come, within our bosoms shine.
You, of comforters the best;
You, the soul’s most welcome guest;
Sweet refreshment here below;
In our labor, rest most sweet;
Grateful coolness in the heat;
Solace in the midst of woe.
O most blessed Light divine,
Shine within these hearts of yours,
And our inmost being fill!
Where you are not, we have naught,
Nothing good in deed or thought,
Nothing free from taint of ill.
Heal our wounds, our strength renew;
On our dryness pour your dew;
Wash the stains of guilt away:
Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
Guide the steps that go astray.
On the faithful, who adore
And confess you, evermore
In your sevenfold gift descend;
Give them virtue’s sure reward;
Give them your salvation, Lord;
Give them joys that never end. Amen.
Alleluia.
And from your celestial home
Shed a ray of light divine!
Come, Father of the poor!
Come, source of all our store!
Come, within our bosoms shine.
You, of comforters the best;
You, the soul’s most welcome guest;
Sweet refreshment here below;
In our labor, rest most sweet;
Grateful coolness in the heat;
Solace in the midst of woe.
O most blessed Light divine,
Shine within these hearts of yours,
And our inmost being fill!
Where you are not, we have naught,
Nothing good in deed or thought,
Nothing free from taint of ill.
Heal our wounds, our strength renew;
On our dryness pour your dew;
Wash the stains of guilt away:
Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
Guide the steps that go astray.
On the faithful, who adore
And confess you, evermore
In your sevenfold gift descend;
Give them virtue’s sure reward;
Give them your salvation, Lord;
Give them joys that never end. Amen.
Alleluia.
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful
and kindle in them the fire of your love.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful
and kindle in them the fire of your love.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
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.”
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.”
Jesus said to his
disciples:
“When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father,
the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father,
he will testify to me.
And you also testify,
because you have been with me from the beginning.
“I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.
But when he comes, the Spirit of truth,
he will guide you to all truth.
He will not speak on his own,
but he will speak what he hears,
and will declare to you the things that are coming.
He will glorify me,
because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.
Everything that the Father has is mine;
for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine
and declare it to you.”
“When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father,
the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father,
he will testify to me.
And you also testify,
because you have been with me from the beginning.
“I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.
But when he comes, the Spirit of truth,
he will guide you to all truth.
He will not speak on his own,
but he will speak what he hears,
and will declare to you the things that are coming.
He will glorify me,
because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.
Everything that the Father has is mine;
for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine
and declare it to you.”
Scripture Study
May 24, 2015 Pentecost Sunday
This Sunday the Easter Season draws to a close
with the celebration of Pentecost. We celebrate the pouring out of the Holy
Spirit on the Church and the manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit within
the Church. This became the birthday of the Church, the day that the Church
went public and invited the world to share in the life of Christ. The three
readings provided here are the ones that will be used at St. Raymond Parish.
Alternate readings are provided in the Lectionary for the Second Reading
(Galatians 5:16-25) and for the Gospel (John 15:26-27; 16:12-15) which are not
given here. Be flexible as your local parish may use any of these choices
instead of the ones we will use.
First Reading: Acts of the Apostles 2: 1-11
1 When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled,
they were all in one place together. 2 And suddenly there came from the sky a
noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they
were. 3 Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came
to rest on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit
and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to
proclaim.
5 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem. 6 At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7 They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, “Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how does each of us hear them in his own native language? 9 We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as travelers from Rome, 11 both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.”
5 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem. 6 At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7 They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, “Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how does each of us hear them in his own native language? 9 We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as travelers from Rome, 11 both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.”
NOTES on First Reading:
* 2:1-41 Luke’s Pentecostal narrative in Acts
consists essentially of an introduction (Acts 2:1-13), and Peter’s speech
declaring the resurrection of Jesus and its messianic significance (Acts
2:14-36), followed by a favorable response from the audience (Acts 2:37-41). It
is likely that the narrative telescopes events that took place over a longer
period of time and on a less dramatic scale. The Twelve were not originally in
a position to publicly proclaim the messianic office of Jesus without incurring
immediate reprisal from the same religious authorities in Jerusalem who had
brought about Jesus’ death precisely to stem the rising tide in his favor.
The “day of Pentecost had fully come” in Greek is an expression that implies fulfillment not just in time but also in action. Use of the singular, “day” probably is a poor way of translating the idea that involves the end of an extended time of waiting for many days. It refers not only to the end of the festival period but more pointedly to the awaited “day” of the prophet’s forecast (vv17-21) and the master’s promise (1:5-8; Luke 24:49).
* 2:2-3 Wind and spirit are associated in John 3:8. The sound of a great rush of wind is seen as a herald of a new action of God in the history of salvation. These verses portray a theophany of the Spirit with a strong resemblance to the theophany marking the gathering of Israel in the Septuagint (Greek) version of Isaiah 66:15-20. See also Exodus 19:16 for related theophany traditions.
* 2:3 In Exodus 19:18 fire symbolizes the presence of God and initiates the covenant on Sinai. Here the Holy Spirit acts upon the apostles, preparing them to proclaim the new covenant with the unique gift of the Spirit (Acts 2:38).
* 2:4 The Holy Spirit in the pre-Lucan story was the charismatic power of early Christians (1 Cor 12-14), the source of miracles and ecstasies and insights and powerful speech and prayer. Luke does not dwell overly much on this feature of the Spirit. Instead he broadens it into a comprehensive expression of the dynamism of the mission(4:8,31; 6:10; 8:29,39; 10:19-20; 11:12; 13:2-4; 20:22-23; 21:4,11). The Spirit becomes the prime mover in the expansion of the Church (10:19; 11:12; 15:28).
Ecstatic prayer in praise of God is interpreted in Acts 2:6,11 as speaking in foreign languages, symbolizing the worldwide mission of the church. Later in Christian tradition there will be a distinction made between ecstatic prayer in praise of God (jubilation) and preaching or teaching in one language and being understood in another (tongues). In the early church such a distinction was not made.
* 2:5 Luke describes a gathering of Israel just as at Mt. Sinai where they received the law through Moses. Now the gathered Israel will receive the new law from Jesus through the action of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost reverses the Tower of Babel event.
* 2:6 The word used for language, “dialektos”, means the language of a people or a region(1:19; 21:40: 22:2; 26:14).
* 2:9-11 These verses contain a stylized list of places that probably had been in use for considerable time before Luke incorporated it into the narrative. In general the locations form a broad sweep from east to west.
The “day of Pentecost had fully come” in Greek is an expression that implies fulfillment not just in time but also in action. Use of the singular, “day” probably is a poor way of translating the idea that involves the end of an extended time of waiting for many days. It refers not only to the end of the festival period but more pointedly to the awaited “day” of the prophet’s forecast (vv17-21) and the master’s promise (1:5-8; Luke 24:49).
* 2:2-3 Wind and spirit are associated in John 3:8. The sound of a great rush of wind is seen as a herald of a new action of God in the history of salvation. These verses portray a theophany of the Spirit with a strong resemblance to the theophany marking the gathering of Israel in the Septuagint (Greek) version of Isaiah 66:15-20. See also Exodus 19:16 for related theophany traditions.
* 2:3 In Exodus 19:18 fire symbolizes the presence of God and initiates the covenant on Sinai. Here the Holy Spirit acts upon the apostles, preparing them to proclaim the new covenant with the unique gift of the Spirit (Acts 2:38).
* 2:4 The Holy Spirit in the pre-Lucan story was the charismatic power of early Christians (1 Cor 12-14), the source of miracles and ecstasies and insights and powerful speech and prayer. Luke does not dwell overly much on this feature of the Spirit. Instead he broadens it into a comprehensive expression of the dynamism of the mission(4:8,31; 6:10; 8:29,39; 10:19-20; 11:12; 13:2-4; 20:22-23; 21:4,11). The Spirit becomes the prime mover in the expansion of the Church (10:19; 11:12; 15:28).
Ecstatic prayer in praise of God is interpreted in Acts 2:6,11 as speaking in foreign languages, symbolizing the worldwide mission of the church. Later in Christian tradition there will be a distinction made between ecstatic prayer in praise of God (jubilation) and preaching or teaching in one language and being understood in another (tongues). In the early church such a distinction was not made.
* 2:5 Luke describes a gathering of Israel just as at Mt. Sinai where they received the law through Moses. Now the gathered Israel will receive the new law from Jesus through the action of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost reverses the Tower of Babel event.
* 2:6 The word used for language, “dialektos”, means the language of a people or a region(1:19; 21:40: 22:2; 26:14).
* 2:9-11 These verses contain a stylized list of places that probably had been in use for considerable time before Luke incorporated it into the narrative. In general the locations form a broad sweep from east to west.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12: 3b-7, 12-13
3 [Therefore, I tell you that nobody speaking by
the spirit of God says, “Jesus be accursed.”] And no one can say, “Jesus is
Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
4 There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; 5 there are different forms of service but the same Lord; 6 there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. 7 To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. [8 To one is given through the Spirit the expression of wisdom; to another the expression of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit; to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit; 10 to another mighty deeds; to another prophecy; to another discernment of spirits; to another varieties of tongues; to another interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing them individually to each person as he wishes.]
12 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. 13 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.
4 There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; 5 there are different forms of service but the same Lord; 6 there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. 7 To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. [8 To one is given through the Spirit the expression of wisdom; to another the expression of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit; to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit; 10 to another mighty deeds; to another prophecy; to another discernment of spirits; to another varieties of tongues; to another interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing them individually to each person as he wishes.]
12 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. 13 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.
NOTES on Second Reading:
* The portions shown in brackets above are not
included in the reading but were included here for completeness.
* 12:4-6 There are some features common to all charisms, despite their diversity: all are gifts (charismata), grace from outside ourselves; all are forms of service (diakoniai), an expression of their purpose and effect; and all are workings (energemata), in which God is at work.
Paul associates each of these aspects with what later theology will call one of the persons of the Trinity, an early example of “appropriation.”
* 12:7 As all of the gifts have a common origin they also have a common goal and purpose.
* 12:8-10 The list of gifts is not exhaustive and precise definitions are not possible. Many of the meanings assumed by various charismatic groups are probably overly restrictive and arbitrary compared to Paul’s wider categories.
* 12:11 Since all of the gifts are activated by the Spirit in His own way and for His own purposes no one should find reason for pride in any of the gifts.
* 12:12-30 In this reading we get just two verses of a much longer and well developed image. The idea of society as a body was common and widespread in the ancient world but it is not a likely source for the concept as Paul uses it for the Church. He tended to see society as characterized by division and predicated “body” of the Christian community to emphasize its organic unity. The image of a body also serves to explain Christ’s relationship with believers (1 Cor 12:12). 1 Cor 12:13 applies this model to the church. In baptism all of us, despite our diversity are integrated into one organism, Christ Himself. Verses 14-26 discuss the need for diversity of function among the parts of a body without causing a threat to its unity.
* 12:12 The many members share one existence in Christ who is their life.
* 12:13 The use of aorist tense in the verb in the indicative mood expresses past action and thus is probably not a reference to the Eucharist. Rather it most likely was meant to refer to the Spirit present within the Church.
* 12:4-6 There are some features common to all charisms, despite their diversity: all are gifts (charismata), grace from outside ourselves; all are forms of service (diakoniai), an expression of their purpose and effect; and all are workings (energemata), in which God is at work.
Paul associates each of these aspects with what later theology will call one of the persons of the Trinity, an early example of “appropriation.”
* 12:7 As all of the gifts have a common origin they also have a common goal and purpose.
* 12:8-10 The list of gifts is not exhaustive and precise definitions are not possible. Many of the meanings assumed by various charismatic groups are probably overly restrictive and arbitrary compared to Paul’s wider categories.
* 12:11 Since all of the gifts are activated by the Spirit in His own way and for His own purposes no one should find reason for pride in any of the gifts.
* 12:12-30 In this reading we get just two verses of a much longer and well developed image. The idea of society as a body was common and widespread in the ancient world but it is not a likely source for the concept as Paul uses it for the Church. He tended to see society as characterized by division and predicated “body” of the Christian community to emphasize its organic unity. The image of a body also serves to explain Christ’s relationship with believers (1 Cor 12:12). 1 Cor 12:13 applies this model to the church. In baptism all of us, despite our diversity are integrated into one organism, Christ Himself. Verses 14-26 discuss the need for diversity of function among the parts of a body without causing a threat to its unity.
* 12:12 The many members share one existence in Christ who is their life.
* 12:13 The use of aorist tense in the verb in the indicative mood expresses past action and thus is probably not a reference to the Eucharist. Rather it most likely was meant to refer to the Spirit present within the Church.
Gospel Reading: John 20: 19-23
19 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.” 20
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples
rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 (Jesus) said to them again, “Peace be with
you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22 And when he had said this,
he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 Whose sins
you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”
NOTES on Gospel:
* 20:19-29 The appearances to the disciples,
without or with Thomas (John 11:16; 14:5), have rough parallels in the other
gospels only for John 20:19-23; see Luke 24:36-39; Mark 16:14-18.
Implicitly from John 20:24 “the disciples” means ten of the Twelve, presumably in Jerusalem. “Peace be with you” echoes John 14:27. The theme of rejoicing in John 20:20 echoes John 16:22.
* 20:20 In contrast to John, Luke 24:39-40 mentions “hands and feet,” based on Psalm 22:17.
* 20:21 Though John does not use the noun in reference to them, this is where the Eleven really become Apostles (“those sent”); see John 17:18. Matthew 28:19, Luke 24:47, and Mark 16:15 also make a solemn mission or “sending” the subject of the post-resurrection appearances to the Eleven.
* 20:22 This action echoes Genesis 2:7, where God breathed on the first man and gave him life. Just as Adam’s life came from God, so now the disciples’ new spiritual life comes from Jesus. They are new creations in this Spirit of Jesus. See also the revivification of the dry bones in Ezekiel 37. This event is John’s version of Pentecost.
The apostles did truly receive the Holy Spirit at this time although the gifts of the Holy Spirit were not manifested until Pentecost.
* 20:23 Jesus here gives his apostles the task of continuing His ministry of reconciliation. They are charged with the task of forgiving sins as He had done during His ministry. This was defined by the Council of Trent as a scriptural basis for the sacrament of Penance or Reconciliation. See also Matthew 16:19; and Matthew 18:18.
Implicitly from John 20:24 “the disciples” means ten of the Twelve, presumably in Jerusalem. “Peace be with you” echoes John 14:27. The theme of rejoicing in John 20:20 echoes John 16:22.
* 20:20 In contrast to John, Luke 24:39-40 mentions “hands and feet,” based on Psalm 22:17.
* 20:21 Though John does not use the noun in reference to them, this is where the Eleven really become Apostles (“those sent”); see John 17:18. Matthew 28:19, Luke 24:47, and Mark 16:15 also make a solemn mission or “sending” the subject of the post-resurrection appearances to the Eleven.
* 20:22 This action echoes Genesis 2:7, where God breathed on the first man and gave him life. Just as Adam’s life came from God, so now the disciples’ new spiritual life comes from Jesus. They are new creations in this Spirit of Jesus. See also the revivification of the dry bones in Ezekiel 37. This event is John’s version of Pentecost.
The apostles did truly receive the Holy Spirit at this time although the gifts of the Holy Spirit were not manifested until Pentecost.
* 20:23 Jesus here gives his apostles the task of continuing His ministry of reconciliation. They are charged with the task of forgiving sins as He had done during His ministry. This was defined by the Council of Trent as a scriptural basis for the sacrament of Penance or Reconciliation. See also Matthew 16:19; and Matthew 18:18.
Meditation: "Receive the Holy Spirit!"
Do you know and experience in your own life the gift and power
of the Holy Spirit? After his death and resurrection Jesus promised
to give his disciples the gift of the Holy Spirit. He said to them, Receive
the Holy Spirit! (John 20:22) Jesus knew that his disciples would need
the power of the Holy Spirit to carry out the mission entrusted to them. The
gift of the Holy Spirit was conditional upon the ascension of Jesus to the
right hand of the Father. That is why Jesus instructed the apostles to wait
in Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high (Luke
24:49). Why did they need power from on high? The Gospels tell us
that Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit when he was baptized at the Jordan
River:
"And John bore witness, 'I saw the Spirit descend as a dove
from heaven, and it remained on him... this is he who baptizes with the
Holy Spirit'" (John 1:32,33; Mark 1:8; Matthew 3:11).
"And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned
from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit for forty days in
the wilderness... and Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into
Galilee" (Luke 4:1,14).
Just as Jesus was anointed with the Spirit at the beginning of
his ministry, so the disciples needed the anointing of the Holy Spirit to carry
out the mission entrusted to them by Jesus. The Holy Spirit is given to all who
are baptized into Jesus Christ to enable us to live a new way of life - a life
of love, peace, joy, and righteousness (Romans 14:17). The Holy Spirit fills
our hearts with the love of God (Romans 5:7), and he gives us the strength and
courage we need in order to live as faith-filled disciples of the Lord Jesus.
The Spirit helps us in our weakness (Romans 8:26), and enables us to grow in
spiritual freedom - freedom from doubt, fear, and from slavery to our unruly
desires (2 Corinthians 3:17; Romans 8:21). The Spirit instructs us in the ways
of God, and guides us in living according to God's will. The Spirit is the
source and giver of all holiness. Isaiah foretold the seven-fold gifts that the
Spirit would give: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety,
and fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2).
The gift of Pentecost - the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and
the spiritual gifts and blessings of God - are made possible through the death,
resurrection, and ascension of the Lord Jesus. After his resurrection Jesus
"breathed" on his disciples and gave them the Holy Spirit. Just as God
breathed life into Adam, so the gift of the Holy Spirit is an impartation
of "new life" for his people. With the gift of the Holy Spirit
a new creation begins. God recreates us for his glory. Jesus' gift of peace to
his disciples was more than an absence of trouble. His peace included the
forgiveness of sins and the fulness of everything good. Do you want power to
live a faith-filled life as a disciple of Jesus? Ask the Father to fill you
with the power of his Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13).
Basil the Great (329-379 AD), an early church father, explains
the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives:
"The Spirit restores paradise to us and the way to heaven
and adoption as children of God; he instills confidence that we may call God
truly Father and grants us the grace of Christ to be children of the light and
to enjoy eternal glory. In a word, he bestows the fullness of blessings in this
world and the next; for we may contemplate now in the mirror of faith the
promised things we shall someday enjoy. If this is the foretaste, what
must the reality be? If these are the first fruits, what must be the
harvest?" (From the treatise by Basil on The Holy Spirit)
The Lord Jesus offers each one of us the gift and power of his
Holy Spirit. He wants to make our faith strong, give us hope that endures, and
a love that never grows cold. He never refuses to give his Spirit to those who
ask with expectant faith. Jesus instructed his disciples to ask confidently for
the gift of the Spirit: "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good
gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy
Spirit to those who ask him!" (Luke 11:13). Do you thirst for God
and for the abundant life he offers through the gift of his Spirit?
"Lord Jesus, I thank you for the gift of Pentecost and for
the new life you offer in the Holy Spirit. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and
set my heart ablaze with the fire of your love that I may serve you in joy and
freedom."
Prayer
of Intercession for the Feast of Pentecost
O living
God, come and make our souls temples of thy Spirit.
Sanctify us, O Lord!
Baptize thy whole Church with fire, that the divisions soon may cease, and that it may stand before the world as a pillar and buttress of thy truth.
Sanctify us, O Lord!
Grant us all the fruits of thy Holy Spirit: brotherly love, joy, peace, patience, goodwill and faithfulness.
Sanctify us, O Lord!
May the Holy Spirit speak by the voice of thy servants, here and everywhere, as they preach thy word.
Sanctify us, O Lord!
Send thy Holy Spirit, the comforter, to all who face adversity, or who are the victims of men's wickedness.
Sanctify us, O Lord!
Preserve all nations and their leaders from hatred and war, and build up a true community among nations, through the power of thy Spirit.
Sanctify us, O Lord!
Holy Spirit, Lord and source of life, giver of the seven gifts,
Sanctify us, O Comforter.
Spirit of wisdom and understanding, Spirit of counsel and strength,
Sanctify us, O Comforter.
Spirit of knowledge and devotion, Spirit of obedience to the Lord.
Sanctify us, O Comforter.
Sanctify us, O Lord!
Baptize thy whole Church with fire, that the divisions soon may cease, and that it may stand before the world as a pillar and buttress of thy truth.
Sanctify us, O Lord!
Grant us all the fruits of thy Holy Spirit: brotherly love, joy, peace, patience, goodwill and faithfulness.
Sanctify us, O Lord!
May the Holy Spirit speak by the voice of thy servants, here and everywhere, as they preach thy word.
Sanctify us, O Lord!
Send thy Holy Spirit, the comforter, to all who face adversity, or who are the victims of men's wickedness.
Sanctify us, O Lord!
Preserve all nations and their leaders from hatred and war, and build up a true community among nations, through the power of thy Spirit.
Sanctify us, O Lord!
Holy Spirit, Lord and source of life, giver of the seven gifts,
Sanctify us, O Comforter.
Spirit of wisdom and understanding, Spirit of counsel and strength,
Sanctify us, O Comforter.
Spirit of knowledge and devotion, Spirit of obedience to the Lord.
Sanctify us, O Comforter.
(Prayer
of Taize Community)
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