Pentecost Sunday, May 19, 2024

“When the Counselor comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness to me; and you also are witnesses, because you have been with me from the beginning.” John 15:26-27.

“The fruits of this profound union are marvelous: our whole being is transformed by the grace of the Holy Spirit: soul, intelligence, will, affections, and even the body, because we are united in body and spirit.” Pope Francis.

Father, pour out on us the fruits of the Spirit of Your Son: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. It is only when we live and walk by His Spirit that we shall be able to live as great witnesses to the Mighty Works of Your Son. Amen.

Domingo de Pentecostés, 19 de mayo 2024

"Cuando venga el Protector, que les enviaré desde el Padre, por ser él, el Espíritu de verdad, que procede del Padre, él dará testimonio de mí; y ustedes también darán testimonio de mí, porque han estado conmigo desde el principio". Juan 15:26-27.

"Los frutos de esta unión profunda son maravillosos: todo nuestro ser es transformado por la gracia del Espíritu Santo: el alma, la inteligencia, la voluntad, los afectos e incluso el cuerpo, porque estamos unidos en cuerpo y espíritu". Papa Francisco.

Padre, derrama sobre nosotros los frutos del Espíritu de Tu Hijo: amor, gozo, paz, paciencia, bondad, amabilidad, fidelidad, mansedumbre y dominio propio. Es solo cuando vivamos y caminemos por Su Espíritu que seremos capaces de vivir como grandes testigos de las Poderosas Obras de Tu Hijo. Amén.


Homily for Pentecost by Deacon Mike Betliskey

Consider a scenario where 120 people gather for a prayerful meeting to reflect on someone they know little about, except for one person. They anticipate a transformative experience. That aptly describes the 120 disciples in the upper room praying for the Holy Spirit, as promised by Jesus at the Ascension. Although the disciples desired to receive the Holy Spirit, they had yet to learn what the Spirit would demand of them, giving their lives totally to Christ and spreading the Good News. The exception would be Mary, who was Spirit-filled from birth and could share the meaning of being Spirit-filled and obedient to God’s will. On the tenth day after Jesus’ Ascension, the Holy Spirit descended upon them, transforming them from fearful disciples to fearless missionary ones.
Both Hebrew and Greek use one word for wind, breath, and spirit. In the first creation account in Genesis, the Spirit, depicted as a mighty wind, breathes life into chaotic nothingness to create the world. He also breathes physical and spiritual life into Adam. On Pentecost, He breathes a renewed, Spirit-filled life into the disciples. When His presence and peace blow through us, we feel a deep sense of belonging to GodandHis family on earth, in purgatoryand heaven.
At our baptism, we experience our own Pentecost. The Holy Spirit breathes a Spirit-filled life into us, empowering us to become missionary disciples who share in Christ’s trifold ministry: the servant king, the herald prophet, and the self-sacrificing priest. 
The tongues of fire upon the disciples’ heads harken back to Moses’ intense, transformative encounter with God at the burning bush on Mount Sinai. Just as the column of fire guided the Jewish people during the Exodus, the Spirit continues to guide disciples throughout the ages, providing a constant source of reassurance and support on our spiritual journey.
When we remain in a state of grace, free from mortal sin, we have the fiery Holy Spirit within us. His fire ignites and enflames our ongoing friendship with God through prayer, worship, and thankfulness. His fire purifies our hearts, so we have good judgment and intuition to do the right thing. He enlightens and guides our intuition to live Kingdom values. Without Him, this intuition can lead us astray through our pride, ego, vices, sins, and closed hearts. Allowing the Spirit to control our lives redirects our intuition.
Part of His transformative purification is the grace to forgive others and ourselves. This purification process molds us into loving, caring missionary disciples who spread the Good News through love. We follow His guidance to build up others through our words and actions, especially during challenging times. We become vessels of His love, working through us to unite and build a better, more loving world. We open ourselves to, recognize, develop, and share the gifts that He bestows upon us. Let us allow the mighty wind of the Spirit to embolden, enflame, and empower us again this Pentecost, just as He did with the first disciples.