The Solemnity of Pentecost
Call to worship
Today we celebrate the great feast of Pentecost. The gift of the Spirit, given to the Apostles, empowered them to recreate the world with faith and energy. God has given us this very same Spirit.
- To the point: “If you love me.” “Whoever loves me.” (Emphases added.) Our love is always a free choice and, as human beings, we are never quite sure of our choices. God’s love, on the other hand, is sure and steady. God continually sends the Spirit to dwell within us. This indwelling Spirit empowers us to love with God’s steadfastness. Transformed by the Spirit, our love moves from “if” to “I can, I choose, I will.
- Connecting the Gospel (John 20-19-23) to the second reading: St. Paul enumerates the effects of the Spirit’s dwelling within us: we belong to Christ, are made righteous, are given new life, become adopted children and heirs of God. Here is God’s gift of Love to us: an unprecedented relationship made possible by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
- Connecting the Gospel to experience: It is so much easier to act with love when we know we are loved. We can act with love in all times and places, all situations and circumstances, because we know we are filled with the Spirit who is God’s love.
Centering prayers
The Gospel
(John 20: 19-23 or John 15: 26-27, 16: 12-15)
And when he has said this, he breathed on them
and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
Viens, Esprit Saint; Come, Holy Spirit; Heiliger Geist, Komm;
Vieni Spirito Santo; Ven, Espiritus Santo;
Fiery Spirit of Love, O Father of the Poor, Warmth in a Land of Chill,
Comforter of us all: rich, poor; prisoners, immigrants;
breathe your life into us. We beg you to give us Your
wisdom, understanding and courage
to change all that needs to be changed
in our climate catastrophe, our Ukraine war and our racial bias.
Breathe your life into us and send us out to the whole earth.
Aloud we cry, Veni Sancte Spiritus.
The First Reading
(Acts 2: 1-11) or (Genesis 11: 1-9) or (Exodus 19: 3-8a, 16-20b)
or (Ezekiel 37: 1-14) or (Joel 3: 1-5)
And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind.
As fire surges in the wind, you blow through all creation.
Not just the upper room in one place and time, but everywhere.
Come, O Spirit, set our hearts on fire every minute of every day.
Let us spread your grace filled gifts to the ends of the Earth.
The Second Reading
(1 Corinthians 12: 3b-7, 12-13) or (Romans 8: 8-17) or (Romans 8:22-27)
We do not know how to pray as we ought,
but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.
Spirit of Jesus, You know our prayers.
Take our shoddy breaths to the Father.
Let our spirits cry out in joyful harmony
with you, in these words: Abba, Father!
Copyright © 2022, Anne M. Osdieck
Music for reflection