The Word Among Us: A Catholic Devotional based on the Daily Mass Reading & Meditation for Pentecost Sunday, 24 May 2015

The Word Among Us: A Catholic Devotional based on the Daily Mass Reading & Meditation for Pentecost Sunday, 24 May 2015

Meditation: John 20:19 In the evening that same day, the first day of the week, when the talmidim were gathered together behind locked doors out of fear of the Judeans, Yeshua came, stood in the middle and said, “Shalom aleikhem!” 20 Having greeted them, he showed them his hands and his side. The talmidim were overjoyed to see the Lord. 21 “Shalom aleikhem!” Yeshua repeated. “Just as the Father sent me, I myself am also sending you.” 22 Having said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Ruach HaKodesh! 23 If you forgive someone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you hold them, they are held.”
Pentecost Sunday
The doors were locked. (John 20:19)
Fear can be such a crippling emotion! Think of how many dreams were never realized because someone was afraid of failure. Think of how many relationships never got started because someone was afraid to make the first move.
Now think of the apostles, locked in the upper room “for fear of the Jews” (John 20:19). What if they had never gotten over that fear and remained in Jerusalem? What if the Church had never grown beyond that small group of disciples? You probably wouldn’t be reading this meditation! We know, of course, that this didn’t happen. That’s why we are celebrating Pentecost today. Empowered by the Spirit, the apostles did overcome their fears. And because of their boldness, all of history has been transformed by the message of God’s love and salvation.
But what of us, who are also called to witness our faith? Maybe we should ask ourselves, as Pope Francis did recently, “Are we open to ‘God’s surprises’? Or are we closed and fearful before the newness of the Holy Spirit?”
It may sound simplistic, but we don’t have to be afraid. God is with us, and as the Holy Father has said, he has wonderful surprises waiting for us if we step out in faith.
This week, let the Lord surprise you—and take a risk by acting on the surprise. If you feel a renewed urge to share your faith, don’t stifle it. If you feel called to pray for someone’s healing or reach out to someone in distress, follow that leading. Try to put your anxieties aside and do what you sense the Lord is asking you to do. You’ll find great freedom, even if you take just one small step of trust in the Lord. Not only that, but God will take this tiny step of faith and turn it into a giant leap forward—for you and for the person you are reaching out to!“Lord, may the fire of your Spirit burn away every fear that I have. May I follow without hesitation wherever you are leading me!” Amen!
Acts 2:1 The festival of Shavu‘ot arrived, and the believers all gathered together in one place. 2 Suddenly there came a sound from the sky like the roar of a violent wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then they saw what looked like tongues of fire, which separated and came to rest on each one of them. 4 They were all filled with the Ruach HaKodesh and began to talk in different languages, as the Spirit enabled them to speak.
5 Now there were staying in Yerushalayim religious Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd gathered; they were confused, because each one heard the believers speaking in his own language. 7 Totally amazed, they asked, “How is this possible? Aren’t all these people who are speaking from the Galil? 8 How is it that we hear them speaking in our native languages? 9 We are Parthians, Medes, Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Y’hudah, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, 10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome; 11 Jews by birth and proselytes; Jews from Crete and from Arabia. . . ! How is it that we hear them speaking in our own languages about the great things God has done?”
Psalms 104:1 Bless Adonai, my soul!
Adonai, my God, you are very great;
you are clothed with glory and majesty,
How many [of them there are]!
In wisdom you have made them all;
the earth is full of your creations.
29 If you hide your face, they vanish;
if you hold back their breath, they perish
and return to their dust.
30 If you send out your breath, they are created,
and you renew the face of the earth.
31 May the glory of Adonai last forever!
May Adonai rejoice in his works!
34 May my musings be pleasing to him;
I will rejoice in Adonai.
1 Corinthians 12:3 Therefore, I want to make it clear to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God ever says, “Yeshua is cursed!” and no one can say, “Yeshua is Lord,” except by the Ruach HaKodesh.
4 Now there are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit gives them. 5 Also there are different ways of serving, but it is the same Lord being served. 6 And there are different modes of working, but it is the same God working them all in everyone. 7 Moreover, to each person is given the particular manifestation of the Spirit that will be for the common good.
12 For just as the body is one but has many parts; and all the parts of the body, though many, constitute one body; so it is with the Messiah. 13 For it was by one Spirit that we were all immersed into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, slaves or free; and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion:
[Mass Readings:
1st Reading: Acts 2:1 The festival of Shavu‘ot arrived, and the believers all gathered together in one place. 2 Suddenly there came a sound from the sky like the roar of a violent wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then they saw what looked like tongues of fire, which separated and came to rest on each one of them. 4 They were all filled with the Ruach HaKodesh and began to talk in different languages, as the Spirit enabled them to speak.

5 Now there were staying in Yerushalayim religious Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd gathered; they were confused, because each one heard the believers speaking in his own language. 7 Totally amazed, they asked, “How is this possible? Aren’t all these people who are speaking from the Galil? 8 How is it that we hear them speaking in our native languages? 9 We are Parthians, Medes, Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Y’hudah, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, 10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome; 11 Jews by birth and proselytes; Jews from Crete and from Arabia. . . ! How is it that we hear them speaking in our own languages about the great things God has done?”

Responsorial: Adonai, my God, you are very great;

you are clothed with glory and majesty,

How many [of them there are]!

In wisdom you have made them all;

the earth is full of your creations.

29 If you hide your face, they vanish;

if you hold back their breath, they perish

and return to their dust.

30 If you send out your breath, they are created,

and you renew the face of the earth.

31 May the glory of Adonai last forever!

May Adonai rejoice in his works!

34 May my musings be pleasing to him;

I will rejoice in Adonai.

2nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:3 Therefore, I want to make it clear to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God ever says, “Yeshua is cursed!” and no one can say, “Yeshua is Lord,” except by the Ruach HaKodesh.

4 Now there are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit gives them. 5 Also there are different ways of serving, but it is the same Lord being served. 6 And there are different modes of working, but it is the same God working them all in everyone. 7 Moreover, to each person is given the particular manifestation of the Spirit that will be for the common good.

12 For just as the body is one but has many parts; and all the parts of the body, though many, constitute one body; so it is with the Messiah. 13 For it was by one Spirit that we were all immersed into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, slaves or free; and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

Gospel: John 20:19 In the evening that same day, the first day of the week, when the talmidim were gathered together behind locked doors out of fear of the Judeans, Yeshua came, stood in the middle and said, “Shalom aleikhem!” 20 Having greeted them, he showed them his hands and his side. The talmidim were overjoyed to see the Lord. 21 “Shalom aleikhem!” Yeshua repeated. “Just as the Father sent me, I myself am also sending you.” 22 Having said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Ruach HaKodesh! 23 If you forgive someone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you hold them, they are held.”3]
1. The account in Acts 2 of the First Reading describes the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles at Pentecost. Through this miraculous work, we see the Holy Spirit becoming the unifier of the Church. We too have received that same Spirit. In what ways can you fan into flame in a deeper way the Holy Spirit who was given to you at your Baptism and Confirmation? In what ways can you use the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life and others to strengthen the unity of your parish?
2. The response to the Responsorial Psalm is “Lord, send forth your Spirit and renew the face of the earth.” This renewal begins with each one of us. What renewal does God want to make in your life? In addition, in what ways has the Lord called you, through the power of his Spirit within you, to participate in the mission of the Church to “renew the face of the earth”?
3. In the second reading, St. Paul tells us: “To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit has been given for some benefit.” What “manifestation,” or gifts of the Spirit do you believe you have been given that can be used for the “benefit” of others in your family, your community, and your parish?
4. In the Gospel reading, Jesus tells the Apostles, “As the Father has sent me so I send you” and then he “breathed” the Holy Spirit on them. Just as he did at Pentecost, Jesus wants to breathe God’s Spirit and power into our hearts every day. The spiritual dynamic that was present at that first Pentecost, moving people to love God, to seek out holiness, and to come together as a church, is still at work today. In what ways have you experienced the work and power of the Holy Spirit that was present at that first Pentecost?

5. Saint John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI have reminded us over and over again that the commission that Christ gave the Church in the Gospel was not meant just for the Apostles, but rather for all Catholics. We all share in the responsibility to tell the world of the Good News of God’s love for us in Jesus Christ! In what ways have you been able to respond to this great commission?
6. The meditation begins with these hard-hitting words: “Fear can be such a crippling emotion! Think of how many dreams were never realized because someone was afraid of failure. Think of how many relationships never got started because someone was afraid to make the first move.” The meditation ends with these challenging words to us: “This week, let the Lord surprise you—and take a risk by acting on the surprise. If you feel a renewed urge to share your faith, don’t stifle it. If you feel called to pray for someone’s healing or reach out to someone in distress, follow that leading. Try to put your anxieties aside and do what you sense the Lord is asking you to do.” In what ways can you respond to these challenging words? For example, are there people in your life that need to know the difference faith in Jesus Christ has made in your life? Are there people in your life who need prayers for healing, including healing of relationships? If so, how might the Lord be calling you to respond to these needs?
7. Take some time now to pray and ask the Lord for the grace, and the power of his Holy Spirit, to overcome any fears that keep you from responding to his call for your life. Use the prayer at the end of the meditation as the starting point.“Lord, may the fire of your Spirit burn away every fear that I have. May I follow without hesitation wherever you are leading me!” Amen!
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