And when He had said this,
He breathed on them and said to them,
“Receive the Holy Spirit."
(John 20:22)
The peace the Lord gives is not just the absence of trouble, but the presence of everything that makes for a person’s highest good and overall well-being. We are equipped by God to face any challenge. Our mission is possible because our adequacy comes from God. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live out our faith. Just as a body has many parts, each has its own function. Despite our diversity, we all form part of the one body in Christ.
19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” (John 20:19-23)
In the quiet of His presence, where peace takes its stand, not just the absence of trouble, but blessings so grand. The Lord's peace we receive, in abundance and might, a beacon of well-being, a guiding light. Equipped by God, to face any tide, no challenge too great, with Him by our side. Our mission is possible, our adequacy from above, in His strength, we move, in His grace, we love. The Holy Spirit, our guide, our friend, empowers us to live, to faith's every bend. In every trial, in every test, with the Spirit within us, we are blessed. Just as a body, with parts so diverse, each has a function, in the universe. Despite our differences, in Him, we unite, part of one body, in His holy light.
Dear Lord Jesus, in the quiet of our hearts, we seek Your peace, not just the absence of trouble, but blessings that never cease. The peace You give, Lord, is our heart's song, a presence of all that's good, a place where we belong. Equipped by You, we face life's demanding race, in every challenge, we see Your grace. Our mission is possible, our adequacy from You, with Your guidance, there's nothing we can't do. The Holy Spirit, Your precious gift, empowers us, gives our spirits a lift. In faith, we live, in love, we grow, with the Holy Spirit's power, we face life's ebb and flow. Just as a body, with parts so diverse, each has a function, in Your universe. Despite our differences, in You, we unite, part of one body, walking in Your light. In Your holy name, we pray, Amen.
God’s word is trustworthy, providing a remarkable instance of a fulfilled prophecy. The incredible events on the day of Pentecost were the fulfillment of what the prophet Joel had foretold centuries before. This should encourage us to trust in God’s promises in our life. Just as the Holy Spirit empowered the disciples, He is available to us, offering strength and wisdom for our journey. We were imbued with power from on high enabling us to spread the teachings of Jesus Christ to people of different languages and nations.
1 When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. 2 And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. 3 Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. 5 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem. 6 At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7 They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, “Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how does each of us hear them in his own native language? 9 We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as travelers from Rome, 11 both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.” (Acts 2:1-11)
In the realm where trust is a must, God's word stands firm, in it we thrust. A prophecy fulfilled, a sight so grand, on the day of Pentecost, as foretold in our land. Joel's words echoed through time and space, centuries passed, yet they held their grace. An event so incredible, a spectacle so vast, a testament to promises that forever last. In life's journey, as we strive and strive, God's promises are the wind in our drive. His word, a beacon, His love, our guide, in His wisdom and strength, we confide. The Holy Spirit, a gift so divine, empowered the disciples, made them shine. Available to us, in every high and low, guiding us, in the paths we go. Imbued with power, from realms above, spreading Jesus' teachings, His message of love. To nations afar, languages wide, in the power of His word, we confide.
Dear Heavenly Father, in the quiet of this moment, we come to You, acknowledging Your word as ever true. A prophecy fulfilled, a testament so grand, on the day of Pentecost, as Joel's words had planned. We stand in awe of Your promises so divine, a beacon of hope, in our lives they shine. Just as the disciples were empowered from above, fill us with Your Spirit, envelop us in Your love. Guide us on our journey, be our strength and light, in every challenge, every plight. Imbue us with Your power, let Your wisdom unfold, help us spread Your teachings, let Your love be told. To nations afar, languages wide, may Your word resonate, in hearts worldwide. In Your promises, we find our trust, in Your love, we find a bond so robust. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.
God alone has the power to give life and to take it away. God’s ruach, or breath brings life to our physical and spiritual lives simultaneously. The removal of divine breath results in death, but the sending forth of the spirit of God brings life, and renews that which has been reduced to dust. God can and will order the lives of those who seek Him by keeping them in God’s purpose and away from evil. We should appreciate the interconnectedness of all creatures and their reliance on God’s provision. Let us find joy in God’s works and to strive for our lives to be pleasing to Him.
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord, my God, you are great indeed! 24 How manifold are your works, O Lord! The earth is full of your creatures. 31 May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord be glad in his works! 34 Pleasing to him be my theme; I will be glad in the Lord. 29 If you take away their breath, they perish and return to the dust. 30 When you send forth your spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth. (Psalm 104:1, 24, 31, 34, 29-30 )
In the realm of the divine, where life takes its sway, Stands God alone, holding death and life at bay. His breath, His ruach, a force unseen, brings life to our being, in realms serene. The divine breath withdrawn, life fades away, yet, sent forth anew, it brings a brand new day. From dust to life, a cycle profound, in God's spirit, we are eternally bound. In His grand design, our lives He does steer, away from evil, towards purpose clear. In His provision, all creatures find their part, an interconnected ballet, a divine art. In His works, let us find our joy, our lives to please Him, our efforts employ. for in pleasing Him, we find our worth, in the grand symphony of life, our rebirth.
Dear Heavenly Father, in Your hands alone, rests the power of life, You breathe into us, amidst our strife. Your ruach, Your breath, so divine, brings life to our being, makes our spirit shine. When Your breath is withdrawn, life does cease, yet, when sent forth anew, it brings release. From dust to life, in Your image we stand, guided by Your purpose, led by Your hand. We marvel at Your creation, so vast and wide, in Your provision, all creatures abide. Help us appreciate this interconnected dance, and in Your works, find our joy and enhance. May our lives be pleasing to You, our King, in our words, our deeds, in everything. In Your spirit, we find our worth, in Your love, we find rebirth. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.
The Holy Spirit is the source of the gifts. While there are diversities of gifts, they all come from the same Spirit. Despite our diversity, we are all members form one body in Christ. Just as a body has many parts, each of us has his own function, each with his own gifts. Each spiritual gift is given for the common good. If a gift cannot be shared, and shared for the good of others, it is not from the Spirit. We should acknowledge the spiritual gifts that God has blessed us with and put them to work. Whatever talents and abilities God has blessed us with, they should be used to glorify God and serve others.
3 Brothers and sisters: No one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. 4 There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; 5 there are different forms of service but the same Lord; 6 there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. 7 To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. 12 As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13)
In the realm of the divine, where gifts take flight, the Holy Spirit is the source, the beacon of light. Diverse are the gifts, yet from the Spirit they flow, uniting us in purpose, in love's gentle glow. We are many, yet one, in Christ we unite, just as a body, in its strength and might. Each part unique, each gift bestowed, in harmony, we carry life's load. Gifts are given, not for one, but all, for the common good, they heed the call. If a gift can't be shared, for others' gain, it's not of the Spirit, but of worldly chain. Acknowledge your gifts, let them unfurl, in God's grand design, let them twirl. Whatever talents you hold, whatever skills you've got, use them to glorify God, let love be your thought.
Dear Heavenly Father, we acknowledge that You are the source of all gifts, Your Holy Spirit, our spirits, it uplifts. Though diverse are the gifts, from the same Spirit they flow, uniting us as one body, in Your love we grow. Each of us, a part of Your body, each with a role, each with a gift, each with a soul. These gifts are given for the common good, to be shared, to be understood. If a gift cannot be shared, if it's not for others' gain, we know it's not of Your Spirit, but of worldly chain. Help us acknowledge the gifts You've bestowed, and put them to work, in Your love, let them be sowed. The talents and abilities You've blessed us with, may they be used to glorify You, to create a myth. Help us serve others, in Your name, in the book of life, let us claim. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.
Pericope:
Gospel
III: The Book of Glory
APPEARANCE TO THE DISCIPLES
John 20:19-23
First Reading
I: The Preparation for the Christian Mission
THE COMING OF THE SPIRIT
Acts 2:1-13
Responsorial Psalm
Fourth Book of Psalms 90-106
PRAISE OF GOD THE CREATOR
Psalm 104:1-35
Second Reading
C. Spiritual Gifts
UNITY AND VARIETY
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
