Pentecost Sunday

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Pentecost Sunday
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• But when the Holy Spirit comes, the Spirit of
  Truth, He will guide you to all truth.

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1st Reading

• St. Luke narrates the coming of the Holy Spirit
  upon the first Christian community. Then they
  were empowered to speak in a language understood
  by all. This is a sign that the message of the
  Spirit is for all, and salvation is for all.

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2nd Reading

• St. Paul exhorts us to follow the guidance of the
  Spirit. In this way, we shall be able to reject
  vices. Moreover, we shall be able to live
  according to the Spirit with its fruits a life
  of virtue.

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Gospel

• This part of Johns Gospel is a reference to the
  persecution of the early Christians. That they
  may realize the gift of the Spirit within and be
  His witnesses (martireite). Then the Spirit will
  play an important role in our lives, i.e., He
  will guide and strengthen us in our works.

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• Pentecost in Israel was a harvest festival. Thus
  it symbolized fulfillment and fruitfulness.
• But for us Christians, it is a time of the
  outpouring of the Spirit for the fulfillment of
  our mission.

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• For the Israelites, it was celebrated 50 days
  after the Passover, hence was called in Greek
  pentekostes.
• For us Christians, it is celebrated 50 days after
  Easter.

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• 50 was a sacred number to Jews as well as for us.
• It was the number of the Jubilee Year. Its the
  time that reminds us of a new start in
  everything, new life, new energy.
• For us Christians it is the birth of the Church.

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• Finally, on this Pentecost Sunday, its also a new
  start for all of us.
• We are all given new strength, new energy, new
  gifts of grace by the Holy Spirit.
• Its now up to us to find out what gift weve
  receive and make them useful for the Church.