The Gifts of the Spirit are meant to build up the Church
Reflections on the readings for Pentecost Sunday, Mass during the day (May 20, 2018): ACTS 2:1-11; PS 104:1,24,29-30,31,34; 1 COR 12:3-7,12-13 or GAL 5:16-25; JN 20:19-23 or JN 15:26-27; 16:12-15
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.
On this feast of Pentecost we celebrate the birth of the Church.
The Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples with his precious gifts while they were together nine days after Ascension Thursday. Jesus wanted His followers to have everything they needed to take up their mission and spread the Good News from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. St. Paul later wrote to the early Christians reminding them that the Spirit’s gifts are all vital to the unity and growth of the Church. “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone” (1 Corinthians 12:4-6).
God expects us to use the gifts of the Holy Spirit in conjunction with our various talents and abilities in service to the Body of Christ. Everything we have is from God. It is up to us to put our body, mind, and spirit in His hands in thanksgiving for His eternal love and mercy and to help our brothers and sisters according to His will. On this feast we can acknowledge the diversity among the people of God – as well as the profound bond we share with Him and with each other.
Suggested missionary action: Let us resolve to pray to the Holy Spirit each day, asking for a growth in His gifts as He sees fit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord.