Giving thanks to the Spirit for blessings and guidance... 
Reflections on the readings for Pentecost Sunday – Mass during the day (June 9, 2019): ACTS 2:1-11; PS 104:1,24,29-30,31,34; I COR 12:3-7,12-13; JN 20:19-23
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days
The New Testament book of the Acts of the Apostles describes what happened after the close followers of Christ saw Him ascend to heaven.
They returned to Jerusalem and remained together for days in deep and constant prayer. The Jewish feast of Pentecost was a harvest festival and, at that time, fifty days after the Resurrection of Jesus: “Suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire.… And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim” (Acts 2:2-4).
On what we have come to think of as the birthday of the Church and the Church's mission, the Holy Spirit bequeathed the gifts that each of them needed to serve our Lord and His people. The particular ability for them to speak different languages certainly made clear to the disciples that they were to communicate the Good News far and wide. Moreover, they experienced the courage and guidance to convert the hearts and minds of many to whom they preached. God wanted all those who walked in the footsteps of His Son to understand that the world has changed through His crucifixion and resurrection – and that they needed to change as well. And that is just as true for us today as we go about our lives as followers of Christ.
Suggested missionary action: Let us ask the Holy Spirit to give us a greater appreciation of our own Baptism and Confirmation. Let us also ask for the grace to grow in faith, hope and love and to express our beliefs to others through our compassionate service. And, on this Pentecost Sunday, let us support missionaries who today, all over the world, offer the Good News of the Gospel and service to the poor.
