Lectio Divina

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life!”

Nicene Creed

pentecost sunday

by Reason2bCatholic

In the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah tells us what riches await us – await the world – when we live in the life of the Holy Spirit: “[When] The Spirit from on high is poured out on us. Then will the desert become an orchard and the orchard be regarded as a forest. Right will dwell in the desert and justice abide in the orchard. Justice will bring about peace; right will produce calm and security. My people will live in peaceful country, in secure dwellings and quiet resting places” (Is 32:15-18).

What an image this is! It’s an image of peace, of order, of tranquility and restfulness. Yet, if we not avert eyes, if we’re aware of the world in which we live today, we see quite a different world than what Isaiah speaks of. Why is this?

In his 2011 Apostolic letter “Porta fidei,” then Pope Benedict XVI shared an image that we can reflect on today that helps answer this question. It’s a glimpse into what we so desperately need to shape the world into God’s will for each one of ours lives, when Benedict said, “What the world is in particular need of today is the credible witness of people enlightened in mind and heart by the word of the Lord, and capable of opening the hearts and minds of many to the desire for God and for true life, life without end”.

The Spirit of God – the Holy Spirit – is the life that animates the Church, the body of Christ. What we are witnesses of today is a world that lacks the fullness of the Spirit meant for each one of us and, therefore, the world. To change the world we must begin with ME.

Come, Holy Spirit! Renew the face of the Earth. Begin with me.

For more about Pentecost Sunday please enjoy below.

Peace be with you!

In Catholicism, Lectio Divina (from the Latin for Holy Reading) is a traditional monastic practice of scriptural reading, meditation, and prayer intended to promote communion with God and to increase the knowledge of God's word.  For the practitioner, it follows a common rhythm of quiet reading (often aloud to oneself), of thoughtful meditation and contemplation on what one has read, and then, if so moved, of a prayerful dialogue with God in response to what one has encountered in scripture.  This reflective, meditative active listening, if you will, allows the Holy Spirit to deepen one's awareness of God's presence and invites His initiative to speak with us.

Mass Readings for Pentecost Sunday, May 31, 2020:

Acts 2:1–11
Psalm 104
1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13
John 20:19-23

reading

LISTEN: The Spirit of the Lord fills the whole world. (cf Wis 1:7)

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 2:1-11

When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem. At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, “Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans? Then how does each of us hear them in his native language? We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as travelers from Rome, both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.”

The word of the Lord

reflection

CONSIDER: On this great feast of Pentecost, we hold, in our traditional theology, that Pentecost is the birthday of the Church. In this reflection Bishop Barron reflects on the nature of the Church – on the 4 distinct characteristics of this Church established by Christ.

audio reflection (Listen here):

A reflection on the Feast of Pentecost as published, The Birthday of the Church: One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic by Bishop Robert Barron; Word on Fire, May 31, 2020.

Veni, Sancte Spiritus, ora pro nobis.

prayer

On this Pentecost Sunday – the birthday of the Church – let us pray to be united with the Apostles and Mary in the Upper Room, to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, that our lives may be transformed by the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5), to boldly proclaim Christ to the culture; to live in the Holy Spirit; to renew the face of the Earth.

Let us pray.

Come, Holy Spirit!
Renew the face of the Earth with the fruits of your love:
Love. Joy. Peace.
Patience. Kindness. Generosity.
Faithfulness. Gentleness. Self-control.

Begin with me.
Begin with my marriage.
Begin with my family.
Begin with my community.
Begin with my City.
Begin with my State.
Begin with my Nation.
Begin with our World.
Begin with Me.

Amen

Author, Reason2bCatholic