Pentecost & Pentecost Vigil May 30/31 2020
Pentecost Vigil
Genesis 11:1–9 Pentecost turns upside down the events of Babel.
and/or Exodus 19:3–8a, Pentecost is the renewal of the covenant on Sinai.
16–20b
and/or Ezekiel 37:1–14 Pentecost is a foretaste of Resurrection Day.
and/or Joel 3:1–5 Pentecost is the long-awaited Lord’s Day.
Psalm 104 “Lord, send out your Spirit,
and renew the face of the earth.”
Romans 8:22–27 On this “festival of firstfruits” the Spirit is sent
as the firstfruits of the Resurrection.
John 7:37–39 Jesus refreshes those who believe in him with living water.
In the Pentecost Vigil we anticipate the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Promised by the Lord to his disciples at the Last Supper, anticipated
by the prophets for centuries, unknown to generations of humanity
going back to creation, the Holy Spirit is ready to come into our lives.
Looking at the world today it may seem that the Holy Spirit is absent
once again. Let us join together this evening to pray for the activity of
the Holy Spirit in our world, in our communities, and in our hearts.
In the city of Babel the plurality of languages produced misunderstanding
and drove people apart. In Jerusalem at Pentecost the plurality of languages
will produce understanding and draw people together. At Sinai the presence
of God was obscured by fire and smoke, by trumpet blasts and thunder. In the
upper room locked doors could not prevent Jesus from bringing the Holy Spirit
to the disciples. In Ezekiel’s vision dead, dry bones lie in graves. Paul speaks
of being reborn in the Spirit, suggesting Ezekiel’s vision of the spirit bringing
the bones to life. Joel prophesies that everyone will be rescued when the spirit
comes. Paul tells the Romans that having the firstfruits of the Spirit, we await the
redemption of our bodies. In every way, the Holy Spirit transforms the world
Pentecost Mass During the Day
Acts 2:1–11 As on Sinai, the Lord descends in fire and wind.
Psalm 104 “Lord, send out your Spirit,
and renew the face of the earth.”
1 Corinthians 12:3b–7, The Spirit calls the baptized to ministry
12–13 for the common good.
John 20:19–23 On the first day of the week the risen Christ
imparts the Holy Spirit.
Luke (in Acts) and John (in his Gospel) narrate different accounts of
the Holy Spirit coming to the disciples. Though the narratives differ,
in each the disciples were transformed by the experience. As we listen
to scripture today, let us open our hearts to be transformed by the
Spirit and pray that the Church and the world may be transformed by
the myriad gifts the Holy Spirit imparts, which sanctify our lives and
renew the face of the earth.
Here is the Question: Do I rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance? When I search my heart, what stubbornness do I find that could use honest examination?