“Come, Holy Spirit, come!”
Reflections on the readings for Pentecost Sunday – Mass during the Day (May 23, 2021): ACTS 2:1-11; PS 104:1,24,29-30,31,34; 1 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.
In his homily for Pentecost 2020, Pope Francis urged the Holy Spirit to make Christians builders of unity. “Grant us the courage to go out of ourselves, to love and help each other, in order to become one family,” he prayed.
Before Jesus ascended to Heaven, He let His disciples know that He would never abandon them. He promised them the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. And fifty days after Easter, it occurred just as He had said. “When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And 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 of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them” (Acts 2:1-3). The time had come for the Church to take root and then to spread out from Jerusalem and eventually encircle the entire world. And so, the Church had its sacred birth that we commemorate on this day. The Holy Spirit came to breath life into each believer for the benefit of our own souls and for the welfare of others.
In his homily for Pentecost 2020, Pope Francis urged the Holy Spirit to make Christians builders of unity. “Grant us the courage to go out of ourselves, to love and help each other, in order to become one family,” he prayed. We can make an effort each day to pray that we receive whatever gifts of the Holy Spirit He wants to bestow on us in accordance with His plans for us to “go out of ourselves”: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and holy fear of the Lord. As our Counselor and Comforter, the Holy Spirit will remain with us always, guiding and strengthening our efforts “to love and help each other.”
Suggested missionary action: Let us dedicate ourselves to the Holy Spirit, asking for the particular gifts we need to best serve the Divine will and to encourage our brothers and sisters in faith. And on this birth of the Church’s mission, let us offer prayers and support for those serving in the Pope’s missions.
