Pentecost Sunday, Year B (May 20, 2018): Awaken the fullness of life in the Holy Spirit

Thứ Bảy, 19-05-2018 | 15:06:40

Today’s Readings:

Mass during the day:
Acts 2:1-11
Ps 104:1, 24, 29-31, 34
1 Cor 12:3-7, 12-13 or Gal 5:16-25
John 20:19-23 or John 15:26-27; 16:12-15
usccb.org/bible/readings/052018-mass-during-day.cfm

USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/18_05_20.mp3


A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John.

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.”
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.
The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.
As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,
“Receive the Holy Spirit.
Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them,
and whose sins you retain are retained.”


Good News Reflection: Awaken the fullness of life in the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is Christ’s Spirit generously given to us so that we can be holy and continue the ministry that Christ began. On our own, we cannot be like Jesus, but if his Spirit is alive and active within us, we have Christ’s holiness, his faith, his supernatural love and peace, confidence and endurance, and everything else that we see in Jesus.

You received the Holy Spirit during your baptism. The reality of this was confirmed and strengthened in the Sacrament of Confirmation. Ever since the first out-pouring of the Spirit on Pentecost, God has been transforming the world by working through those who serve his Kingdom. He generously fills us with his Spirit so that we will succeed at whatever he asks us to do. But how well his holiness and power exudes from us is up to us.

Join me in this Prayer to the Holy Spirit:

Dear Jesus, stir up within me the fullness of Your Holy Spirit. Help me to live in Your holy power. Open my mind to understand Your truths, and open my heart to accept Your truths even before I gain right understanding.

O Holy Spirit, help me to seek, more than anything, the kingdom of God. Help me to recognize what I am attached to that is not of You, and give me the determination and the strength to let go. I want only You.

O Holy Spirit, help me to face my sinfulness and to feel genuine sorrow for the damage that I have caused. Comfort me as I mourn my need for forgiveness, and give me Your spirit of rejoicing over this new growth. Then, help me to share this healing mercy with all those around me.

Jesus commanded, “Go into all the world and preach the good news.” Use my gifts and talents to make a difference. I have my own expectations about what I should and should not do. I now surrender to You my ideas, my limitations, my preferences, and my goals. I want to be useful to You. I want to go where You lead me. Holy Spirit, send me forth gifted and empowered to spread the holy and victorious love of Jesus Christ.

Come, Holy Spirit; renew me. Amen!

See also:
“The Novena to the Holy Spirit” at http://gnm.org/holy-spirit-novena/ and “Who is the Holy Spirit?” at http://wordbytes.org/faqs/Holy-Spirit/

Questions for Personal Reflection:
Does the Holy Spirit seem like a Person to you, as real as Jesus? Why or why not? What effect does the “Prayer to the Holy Spirit” (above) have on you? What in it is most helpful to your spiritual growth?

Questions for Community Faith Sharing:
How do you know when the Holy Spirit is being manifested in you? Give an example from your life. How did this experience help you grow in holiness?

Today’s Prayer:

Come, Holy Spirit, and renew my whole being! I give You permission, Holy Spirit of God, to transform me into the person the Father created me to be. I surrender myself to You and willingly accept Your transformation. Amen.

© 2018 by Terry A. Modica

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