Pentecost Sunday
First Reading: Acts of the Apostles 2:1-11
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 own 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."
Second Reading: Galatians 5:16-25
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, licentiousness, 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.
Gospel Reading: John 15:26-27,16:12-15
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."
Reflection: Fr. James Theophilus
Holy Spirit is a gift of Jesus to his disciples. Holy Spirit comes from Jesus and it is a free gift. This gift is given to the disciples only. And these disciples should have the resurrection experience to receive the Holy Spirit. (We should believe in the resurrection to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit). The disciples are asked to be in peace within themselves (peace be with you) and they are shown the wounds as the sign of his resurrection.
Jesus commissions the disciples to be like Jesus in the world as he was to them (As the Father sent me, so I send you). Only those who experienced the risen Lord and only after accepting the commission they are given the Holy Spirit. They are to pronounce in God’s name and by his spirit the message of forgiveness to all who believe in Jesus.
Jesus commissions the disciples to be like Jesus in the world as he was to them (As the Father sent me, so I send you). Only those who experienced the risen Lord and only after accepting the commission they are given the Holy Spirit. They are to pronounce in God’s name and by his spirit the message of forgiveness to all who believe in Jesus.
