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
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, John 20:19-23, also recounts how Jesus gave the gift of the Holy Spirit to his disciples. Yet the event in John’s Gospel takes place on Easter Sunday. There is no need to try to reconcile these two accounts. It is to we 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.
In the context of the feast of Pentecost, John 20:19-23 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.” He breathes the Holy Spirit upon the disciples and sends them to continue his work of reconciliation through the forgiveness of sins. Jesus’ act of breathing the Holy Spirit upon the apostles mirrors God’s act of breathing life into Adam. In fact, both the Greek and Hebrew words for “spirit” can also be translated as “breath.” This Gospel reminds us that the Church is called to be a reconciling presence in the world. The reconciling presence of Christ is celebrated in the Church’s sacramental life. In the Sacrament of Baptism, we are cleansed of sin and become a new creation in Christ. In the Sacrament of Penance, the Church celebrates the mercy of God through the forgiveness of 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.
January 26 :
January 19 :
January 12 :
January 5 :
January 1 :
December 29 :
December 25 - Christmas Day: God had visited us
December 22 - Fourth Sunday in Advent: Joseph, the just man
December 15 - Third Sunday of Advent: Rejoice
December 8 - Second Sunday in Advent : A voice crying in the wilderness
December 1 - First Sunday in Advent : Be awake and be Prepared
November 24 - Solemnity of Christ the King : " Thy kingdom come!"
November 17 - Thirty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time: Jesus left the Temple and departed from it
November 10 – Thirty second Sunday in Ordinary Time : Heaven is our Home
November 3 – Thirty First Sunday in Ordinary Time : Zacchaeus’Transformation
October 27 : Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time - The Prayer of the Humble Man
October 20 - Twenty Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time : Persistent Widow
October 13 – Twenty Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time : Give thanks with a grateful heart
October 6 : 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Faith as a mustered seed
September 29 – Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time : Who is the Lazarus in my life?
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Life After Ministry
Cast The Word
Let Me Be Frank | Bishop Frank Caggiano’s Podcast | Diocese of Bridgeport, CT
The Bible Recap
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)