June 9 - One Bread, One Body
June 9, Pentecost
Cycle C Readings:
1) Acts 2:1-11
Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-31, 34
2) 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13 or John 20:19-23
Gospel) Romans 8:8-17 or John 14:15-16, 23-26
Pentecost past and present
"When the day of Pentecost came it found them gathered in one place." — Acts 2:1
One-hundred-and-twenty of Jesus' disciples had been devoting themselves to constant prayer for nine days (Acts 1:14). As they began praying at about 9 AM on the tenth day, "suddenly from up in the sky there came a noise like a strong, driving wind" (Acts 2:2). After the Holy Spirit introduced Himself audibly, He manifested Himself visibly when "tongues as of fire appeared" (Acts 2:3). These exterior manifestations indicated interior transformations in the hearts of Jesus' disciples (see Acts 15:9). Then they spoke from the abundance of their hearts (see Lk 6:45) and "began to express themselves in foreign tongues and make bold proclamation as the Spirit prompted them" (Acts 2:4). This was only the beginning. After Peter preached and prophesied, these disciples reached 3,000 people with the Gospel of Jesus, and those 3,000 were baptized that very day (Acts 2:41).
Will Pentecost today be like the first Christian Pentecost? Many people, even Christians, think Pentecost was in the past and is not for the present. Others believe new Pentecost happen today but only rarely. However, the Church has always taught that we celebrate the events of salvation history not merely to think of the past but to experience and fulfill these events in the present. Jesus promised that if we believed in Him, we would do greater works than He did (Jn 14:12). Therefore, expect a new Pentecost today — greater than ever before.
Prayer: Father, on this Pentecost may I expect You to love me as Your child.
Promise: "'Peace be with you,' He said again. 'As the Father has sent Me, so I send you.' Then He breathed on them and said: 'Receive the Holy Spirit.'" —Jn 20:21-22
Praise: Come, Holy Spirit! Blessed be the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
Rescript: In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Imprimatur ("Permission to Publish") for One Bread, One Body covering the period from June 1, 2019 through July 31, 2019.
†Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 24, 2018.
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.