Pentecost
June 9, 2019
Acts 2:1-11; Psalm 104;
1 Corinthians 12:3-13; John 20:10-23
Scripture presents us with two thoroughly
different versions of Pentecost and we wonder how these accounts can be so
unlike the other. The famous version that everyone remembers is the one in the
Acts of the Apostles when the Disciples gather after nine days of prayer as
they await the descent of the Holy Spirit. A strong wind blows among the people,
tongues of fire appear above their heads, and people of different languages and
dialects converse with one another unmistakably. The people are united despite
their apparent differences. This event occurs during a Jewish agricultural feast
that celebrates the first fruits of the harvest, which occurs fifty days after Passover.
The Evangelist Luke ties this moment to the last of the earthly appearances of
Jesus as he ascends to the Father in heaven, and this new period is marked by
an increase of prayer.
The second account is from the
Fourth Gospel because Pentecost occurs on the Day of the Resurrection. The
Ascension is not needed because Jesus and the Father are already one, and Pentecost
happens as Jesus breathes his Spirit onto his Disciples and blesses them with
peace. This account is less dramatic than the Acts version, but which one
happened? Which version do we believe? Is it better that we just look at the meaning
of Pentecost rather than try to figure out the historic details?
Our vocation is to be people of
prayer in the places where the world is in pain. Our prayers mirror the stance
of Jesus of Nazareth on the cross whose arms are stretched outward to hold the
pain of the world and also the love of God even though his arms cannot contain
either. We are to take the same posture with arms held out unable to grasp the
roots of pain and suffering and unable to hold onto God’s mercy, but our stance
of openness to the Spirit keeps us praying for both. We speak inarticulately,
sometimes groaning or not knowing what we pray for, but we recognize the pain
and we ask the Spirit to lessen the world’s suffering. Sometimes our groaning
mirrors that of the crucified Jesus as he searches for God’s tenderness and
compassion.
Ignatius of Loyola often asks
retreatants to pray for courage and energy because it comes from the Spirit,
who helps us to announce redemption to the world. Our lives are to be symbols
and signposts to others to let them know they have salvation accessible to them
when their world is marked by fear, exploitation, and suspicion. The peace that
Jesus gives takes away that fear and fills it with hope and healing. The world
knows its brokenness and incompletion, and it needs to hear words that lead
them to greater love and trust in God. Our Christian lives can be seen as
Spirit-filled and shaped by Christ as people who love the world the way God loves
the world.
Our symbolic acts that tell
others about our faith are seen in the small, but significant actions that
reveal our attitudes and beliefs. These small actions tell a larger story about
Christ who resides within our souls. They reveal whether our souls are at peace
and in balance. They reveal whether we see and love the world the way God sees
and loves the world. They reveal whether the Spirit resides in our hearts and
guides our way forward. They release others from sin and undue burdens so as to
live in the freedom God holds out for us. They reveal that we share in Christ’s
victory where all is on the way to being reconciled and joined as one. Pentecost
means that God has made a home within us. Our God is very near.
Scripture for Daily Mass
First
Reading:
Monday: (Genesis
3) After Adam had eaten of the tree, the Lord God called to him and asked him,
"Where are you?" He answered, "I heard you in the garden; but I
was afraid, because I was naked, so I hid myself."
Tuesday:
(Acts 11) While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit
said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have
called them." Then, completing their fasting and prayer, they laid hands
on them and sent them off.
Wednesday:
(2 Corinthians 3) Not that of ourselves we are qualified to take credit for
anything as coming from us; rather, our qualification comes from God, who has
indeed qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of letter but of
spirit; for the letter brings death, but the Spirit gives life.
Thursday:
(2 Corinthians 3) Therefore, since we have this ministry through the mercy
shown us, we are not discouraged. And even though our Gospel is veiled, it is
veiled for those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this age has
blinded the minds of the unbelievers, so that they may not see the light of the
Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Friday (2
Corinthians 4) So death is at work in us, but life in you. Since, then, we have
the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, AI believed, therefore
I spoke," we too believe and therefore speak, knowing that the one
who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and place us with you
in his presence.
Saturday
(2 Corinthians 5) The love of Christ impels us, once we have come to the
conviction that one died for all; therefore, all have died. He indeed died for
all, so that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who
for their sake died and was raised.
Gospel:
Monday:
(John 19) When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he
said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son." Then he said to the
disciple, "Behold, your mother." And from that hour the disciple took
her into his home.
Tuesday:
(Matthew 5) Jesus said to his disciples: "You are the salt of the earth. But
if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for
anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the
world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.
Wednesday
(Matthew 5) "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the
prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until
heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a
letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place.
Thursday
(Matthew 5) "You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall
not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you,
whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says
to his brother, 'Raqa,' will be answerable to the Sanhedrin.
Friday (Matthew
5) You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery. But I
say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed
adultery with her in his heart.
Saturday
(Matthew 5) You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, Do not take a
false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow. But I say to you, do
not swear at all.
Saints of the Week
June 9: Ephrem, deacon and doctor (306-373), was born in the area that is
now Iraq. He was ordained a deacon and refused priestly ordination. After
Persians conquered his home town, Ephrem lived in seclusion where he wrote
scriptural commentaries and hymns. He was the first to introduce hymns into
public worship.
June 9: Joseph de Anchieta, S.J., priest (1534-1597), was from the Canary
Islands and became a leading missionary to Brazil. He was one of the founders
of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janiero. He is considered the first Brazilian writer
and is regarded as a considerate evangelizer of the native Brazilian
population. Alongside the Jesuit Manuel de Nobrega, he created stable colonial
establishments in the new country.
June 11: Barnabas, apostle (d. 61), was a Jew from Cyprus who joined the
early Christians in Jerusalem to build up the church. His name means "son
of encouragement." He accepted Paul into his community and worked
alongside him for many years to convert the Gentiles. He was stoned to death in
his native Cyprus. He was a towering
authority to the early church.
June 13: Anthony of Padua, priest and doctor (1195-1231), became a biblical
scholar who eventually joined the Franciscans. Francis sent him to preach in
northern Italy, first in Bologna and then Padua. He very especially beloved
because of his pastoral care, but he died at age 36.
This Week in Jesuit History
·
Jun
9, 1597. The death of Blessed Jose de Ancieta, Brazil's most famous missionary
and the founder of the cities of Sao Paolo and Rio de Janeiro.
·
Jun
10, 1537. Ignatius and his companions were given minor orders at the house of
Bishop Vincenzo Negusanti in Venice, Italy.
·
Jun
11, 1742. The Chinese and Malabar Rites were forbidden by Pope Benedict XIV;
persecution broke out at once in China.
·
Jun
12, 1928. Fr. General Ledochowski responded negatively to the idea of
intercollegiate sports at Jesuit colleges because he feared the loss of study
time and the amount of travel involved.
·
Jun
13, 1557. The death of King John III of Portugal, at whose request Francis
Xavier and others were sent to India.
· Jun
14, 1596. By his brief Romanus Pontifex, Pope Clement VIII forbade to members
of the Society of Jesus the use or privilege of the Bulla Cruciata as to the
choice of confessors and the obtaining of absolution from reserved cases.
· Jun
15, 1871. P W Couzins, a female law student, graduated from Saint Louis
University LawSchool, the first law school in the country to admit women.
Excellent homily John! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lynda
Delete