May 15, 2016 – Pentecost Sunday – Mass During The Day

 

Pentecost Sunday (Mass during the Day)

Lectionary: 63 (NAB Translation)

 

This is a Sunday that provides choices for the readings that are not just shorter or longer versions from the same section. It is likely that your mass differs in at least one of these readings. The different readings still center around similar themes.

Reading 1
ACTS 2:1-11

This reading is the central reading of this weekend’s celebration of Pentecost. Before Jesus, the language of the people of God was Hebrew. In order to bring all nations into the fold, the Spirit came to remove the barriers of tongue. In this event, there is nothing that holds back the people from understanding each other through His power. This is a magnificent event that was brought on through the mighty rushing wind is an important part of the mission of the Holy Spirit. On this day, which is often referred to as the birthday of the Church reminds us of the work of His people is to remain in His love and bring as many as we can to Him.

 

Responsorial Psalm
PS 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34

1. (cf. 30) Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

 

Reading 2
1 Corinthians 12:3B-7, 12-13

This week’s second reading from St Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians is a clear teaching on the role of the Holy Spirit in our salvation. Even when we think we found God, we hear that is He who called to us first. It is by the grace of the Holy Spirit that we are able to surrender our will to the Father to make Him Lord of our life.

In this transition to an open Church of people from all nations, there was a need to understand the need for each role without competing. Even to this day, we have to work to keep this in mind. The Church has a place for all of us and we are here to support each other.

 

Or Romans 8:8-17

 

Sequence – Veni, Sancte Spiritus

Alleluia

1. Alleluia, alleluia.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.

 

Gospel
John 20:19-23

In this week’s Gospel from John 20, we see a scared group of the Apostles hiding in fear. Once Jesus had been crucified, their physical experience was unsure of the spiritual realities of what God was doing. They knew what had happened to Jesus, and they feared that they would they would also die and the Church along with them.

As soon as they saw the Lord in their presence, they knew that death did not have the final word. They knew that this meant that Jesus was truly who He said and they could trust in Him. His first act is to share His mercy and peace with them, and then He gives them the same power to bring redemption through Him.

This weekend’s feast of Pentecost is a great celebration of the universal call of Jesus and the beauty of His desire to save all people.

 

Or John 14:15-16, 23B-26

 

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Gospel meditation from Bishop Vásquez

Reflection question

Love and Joy! For 50 days, we have celebrated the love and joy of the Risen Christ. How has Christ been present to you in these 50 days? Was there a particular moment when you experienced him in a special way? Our faith is rooted in our experience of God and it motivates us to tell others. The gift of the Holy Spirit empowers us to become missionary disciples in our homes, classrooms, workplace and among friends and strangers. We are called to be merciful and forgiving to all people just as God has been merciful and forgiving of us. Where might God be sending you to serve? Who needs to hear your words of forgiveness and mercy?

¡Amor y Gozo! Por 50 días hemos celebrado el amor y el gozo del Cristo Resucitado ¿Cómo se ha hecho Cristo presente para usted durante estos 50 días? ¿Hubo un momento en especial en el que usted lo experimentó de una manera especial? Nuestra fe está enraizada en nuestra experiencia de Dios y nos motiva a compartirla con otros. El don del Espíritu Santo nos empodera para convertirnos en discípulos misioneros en nuestros hogares, salones de clase, lugares de trabajo y entre amigos y extraños. Estamos llamados a ser misericordiosos y a perdonar a todos tal como Dios ha sido misericordioso y nos ha perdonado ¿Dónde puede ser que Dios le esté enviando a servir? ¿Quién necesita escuchar sus palabras de perdón y misericordia?