THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ON THE APOSTLES
First Reading: Acts 2:1-11
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12: 3-7 and 12-13
Gospel Reading: John 20: 19-23
*First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. A detailed account of the happenings on the first Pentecost is given. The Apostles were gathered in a particular place in Jerusalem. Suddenly the Holy Spirit descends on them and rests on them as tongues of fire. Filled with the Holy Spirit the Apostles speak in different tongues. People who came to Jerusalem from various countries are able to listen to the Apostles in their own native languages. Hence at the first Pentecost the Holy Spirit removes all barriers and divisions among the humankind due to languages, races and cultures, and unites them in the one body of the risen Lord.
*Second reading is from the first letter of St. Paul to Corinthians. Paul speaks of the various gifts given by the Holy Spirit to the believers. He exhorts the Christians in Corinth and all of us to use these gifts for the good of all without exception. Although we are different from each other, we form one body of the risen Lord. We belong to each other in our common bond with the Lord Jesus.
Receive the Holy Spirit Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. The context is that the risen Lord meets the disciples who were fear-stricken and were hiding from the Jewish authorities. The Lord appears to them and wishes them peace and gives them the gift of the Holy Spirit. Then He sends them on His mission. The effects of receiving the Holy Spirit are manifested on Pentecost day. They are no more afraid of the Jews or afraid of anyone for that matter. They openly and fearlessly preach in Jerusalem about the terrible death and the glorious resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Hence from that day the disciples begin to speak as the Holy Spirit prompts them. Until that day the Apostles stayed behind closed doors but from that day they are ready to launch out into the open with boldness and courage. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit has an immediate effect on the early Christian community as a whole. After the tragic death of Jesus, the disciples were in total disarray. But now they find new strength in their oneness. They are united in mind and heart. Let us also open our hearts to the Holy Spirit so that He may transform our lives and we become committed to the Lord.
"Breath in me, O Holy Spirit/ that my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me O Holy Spirit/ that my work too may be holy. Draw my heart O Holy Spirit/ that I love but what is holy. Strengthen me O Holy Spirit/ to defend all that is holy. Guard me then O Holy Spirit/ that I always may be holy. - St. Augustine's prayer to the Holy Spirit
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