On this Pentecost Sunday, Jesus, Who is the same today as He was yesterday (Heb 13:8), is breathing on us and commanding us: "Receive the Holy Spirit" (Jn 20:22). To receive the Spirit and thereby a renewal of our Baptisms and Confirmations, we must repent, forgive, and be forgiven (see Acts 2:38; Mt 6:12; Jn 20:23). Then we will express ourselves "in foreign tongues and make bold proclamation as the Spirit" prompts us (Acts 2:4). We will see a miracle of unity. As the divisions between races, nations, spouses, family members, and church members break down (see Acts 2:8-11; 1 Cor 12:13), the world will believe that God the Father has sent Jesus as the Savior of the world (Jn 17:21). The Holy Spirit will renew the face of the earth (Ps 104:30).
Therefore, "come, Holy Spirit, come!...Heal our wounds, our strength renew; on our dryness pour Your dew; wash the stains of guilt away. Bend the stubborn heart and will; melt the frozen, warm the chill; guide the steps that go astray" (Pentecost sequence). Come, Holy Spirit of Pentecost!
| PRAYER: | Father, like Mary, may I visit others and bring to them the Holy Spirit and a new Pentecost (see Lk 1:39ff). |
| PROMISE: | "No one can say: 'Jesus is Lord,' except in the Holy Spirit." –1 Cor 12:3 |
| PRAISE: | "When You send forth Your Spirit...You renew the face of the earth" (Ps 104:30). |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College