First Reading Acts of the Apostles 2:1-11
The Holy Spirit descends upon the Apostles gathered in Jerusalem.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 104:1,24,29-31,34
God's Spirit renews the earth.
Second Reading 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7,12-13 or Romans 8:8-17
We are all one in Christ Jesus.
Gospel Reading
John 20:19-23
Jesus appears to his disciples and gives them the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Background on the Gospel Reading
The season of Easter concludes with today's celebration, the feast of Pentecost. On Pentecost we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles gathered in the upper room in Jerusalem; this event marks the beginning of the Church. The story of Pentecost is found in the Acts of the Apostles, today's first reading. The account in today's Gospel, taken from the Gospel of John, also recounts how Jesus gave the gift of the Holy Spirit to his disciples. There is no need to try to reconcile these two accounts to each other. It is enough to know that, after his death, Jesus fulfilled his promise to send to his disciples a helper, an advocate, who would enable them to be his witnesses throughout the world.
We previously heard today's Gospel on the second Sunday of Easter. At that time, we also heard the passage that follows, which describes Jesus' appearance to Thomas. In that context, we were led to reflect on belief and unbelief.
In the context of the feast of Pentecost, this reading reminds us about the integral connection between the gifts of peace and forgiveness and the action of the Holy Spirit. Jesus greets his disciples with the gift of peace. Jesus then commissions his disciples to continue the work that he has begun, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” As he breathes the Holy Spirit upon them, Jesus sends his disciples to continue his work of reconciliation through the forgiveness of sins.
This Gospel reminds us that the Church is called to be a reconciling presence in the world. This reconciling presence of Christ is celebrated in the Church's sacramental life. In the Sacrament of Baptism, we are washed clean from sin and become a new creation in Christ. In the Sacrament of Penance, the Church celebrates the mercy of God in forgiving sins. This reconciling presence is also to be a way of life for Christians. In situations of conflict, we are to be agents of peace and harmony among people.
December 2 - First Sunday of Advent Year C
November 25 - Feast of Christ the King: His kingdom come!
November 18 - Thirty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time: Life is short
November 11 - Thirty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time: To give thankfully
November 4 - Thirty First Sunday in Ordinary Time: What are your Priorities?
October 28 - Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time: leaving behind the cloak in order to come closer to Christ
October 21 - Twenty Ninth Sunday in the Ordinary Time: Power
October 14 - Twenty Eighty Sunday in Ordinary Time: Riches
October 7 – Twenty seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time: Marriage and Divorce
September 30 – Twenty Sixth Sunday in ordinary Time: acknowledge the good others do
September 23 - Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Becoming the first to serve
September 16 - Twenty Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Where Sorrow is there is holy ground
September 9 - Twenty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time: The gift of receiving and the gift of transmitting
September 02 - Twenty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time: Why we do? What we do??
August 26 - Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time : Do you want to quit?
August 19 - Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time: To Become What We Receive
August 12 - Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Eucharist – A Foretaste of Heaven
August 5 - Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Food that lasts for ever
July 29 - Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: To place in the hands of Jesus
July 22 - Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Work and Prayer
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