28 May, 2023 | Pentecost Sunday - Mass During the Day

 Gospel Jn 20:19-23

On the evening of that first day of the week,

when the doors were locked, where the disciples were,

for fear of the Jews,

Jesus came and stood in their midst

and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.

The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.

As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”

And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,

“Receive the Holy Spirit.

Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them,

and whose sins you retain are retained.”

Reflections

When the Spirit of God dwells in us it empowers us to do even the impossible in Jesus’ name. The Spirit guides us to make a right choice and fills us with the love of Christ, bestows on those who seek him with  gifts of wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord. Today’s feast of the Pentecost is the Birthday of the Church. The disciples are anointed with the Holy Spirit to set out on a mission with  new vigour of Love. As Jesus was sent by the Father to restore back the lost dignity of being God's children so also Jesus breathes on them the Spirit to carry forward this mission in the world. The Spirit bestowed  each of us with different gifts for the one purpose to build up the Body of Christ in the Church. The missionary activity of the church and individual has its source from the mission of the Father and the Son. The Spirit opens up the heart of the people to receive his message. The ones who is led by God’s spirit manifests in their life the fruits of the Spirit. They are like  prisms that led to the manifestation of hope, patience, goodness, self control, joy, kindness and gentleness.

Activity: 

Identify the fruits of the spirit that are visibly at work in your life.

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