Pentecost Sunday
Today concludes the Easter season, fifty days from the resurrection of Jesus to Pentecost. It is marked in a special way by the presence of the Holy Spirit. The effect is the paschal gift par excellence. On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came down from heaven in the form of “tongues”, like flames, which were divided, perched on top of each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages (Heh 2: 3-4). The same Spirit creates diversity and unity. In this way, it shapes a new, varied and united people. The Holy Spirit is the love of God, the strength and power of God, and it is also the mercy and sweetness of God, together with the father and the Son.
The Father gives us the Holy Spirit from Baptism as well as in each sacrament. But Confirmation is in a special way, the “sacrament of the Spirit of God.” The confirmed young man commits himself to bear witness to Jesus as an adult Christian. That’s why we can ask young people who have confirmed themselves lately and all of us:
Do we allow ourselves to be led by the Spirit of God or by vices and selfishness? Are we brave to bear witness to Jesus in all aspects of our life?
Readings for the Week
Monday: Gn 3:9-15, 20 or Acts 1:12-14; Ps 87:1-3, 5-7; Jn 19:25-34
Tuesday: Acts 11:21b-26; 13:1-3; Ps 119:129-133, 135; Mt 5:13-16
Wednesday: 2 Cor 3:4-11; Ps 99:5-9; Mt 5:17-19
Thursday: 2 Cor 3:15—4:1, 3-6; Ps 85:9ab, 10-14; Mt 5:20-26
Friday: 2 Cor 4:7-15; Ps 116:10-11, 15-18; Mt 5:27-32
Saturday: 2 Cor 5:14-21; Ps 103:1-4, 9-12; Mt 5:33-37
Sunday: Prv 8:22-31; Ps 8:4-9; Rom 5:1-5; Jn 16:12-15
Saints & Special Observances
Sunday: Pentecost Sunday
Monday: Tenth Week in Ordinary Time; Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church
Tuesday: St. Barnabas
Thursday: St. Anthony of Padua
Friday: Flag Day
Saturday: Blessed Virgin Mary