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.
July15 - Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Called and Sent
July 8 - Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: To reject and to be rejected
July 1 - Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: God who is close to us
June 24 - Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time : A God who guides me through storms of life
June 17 - Eleventh Sunday of the Ordinary Time: God works in mysterious and surprising ways
June 10 – Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B : Jesus our Brother
June 3 - Solemnity of Corpus Christi: Bread that liberates
May 27 - Feast of the Holy Trinity: Father, Son and the Holy Spirit
May 20 - The Feast of Pentecost: Holy Spirit teaches us, reminds us and lets us speak
May 13 - The Feast of Ascension: We are Pilgrims
May 6 - Sixth Sunday of Easter: Sacrificial Love
April 29 - Fifth Sunday of Easter: God prunes us
April 22 - Fourth Sunday of Easter: to carry each other on our shoulders
April 15 - Third Sunday of Easter: With God everything makes sense
April 8 - Second Sunday of Easter : Peace, Forgiveness and Faith
Apri1 1 - Easter Sunday : Experiencing Easter Everyday
Mach 30 - Good Friday : By His wounds we have we healed.
March 29 - Holy Thursday : “The Day of Love”
March 25 - Palm Sunday / Passion Sunday : Human abandonment of Jesus
March 18 - Fifth Sunday in Lent: Dying to oneself
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