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Sunday, June 3, 2001

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Pentecost


Acts 2:1-11
1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13
Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-31, 36
John 20:19-23

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breathe on me

"All were filled with the Holy Spirit." —Acts 2:4

On this Pentecost Sunday, Jesus, Who is the same today as He was yesterday (Heb 13:8), is breathing on us and commanding us: "Receive the Holy Spirit" (Jn 20:22). To receive the Spirit and thereby a renewal of our Baptisms and Confirmations, we must repent, forgive, and be forgiven (see Acts 2:38; Mt 6:12; Jn 20:23). Then we will express ourselves "in foreign tongues and make bold proclamation as the Spirit" prompts us (Acts 2:4). We will see a miracle of unity. As the divisions between races, nations, spouses, family members, and church members break down (see Acts 2:8-11; 1 Cor 12:13), the world will believe that God the Father has sent Jesus as the Savior of the world (Jn 17:21). The Holy Spirit will renew the face of the earth (Ps 104:30).

Therefore, "come, Thou Holy Spirit, come!... Heal our wounds, our strength renew; on our dryness pour Thy dew; wash the stains of guilt away. Bend the stubborn heart and will; melt the frozen, warm the chill; guide the steps that go astray" (Pentecost sequence). Come, Holy Spirit of Pentecost!

Prayer:  Father, like Mary, may I visit others and bring to them the Holy Spirit and a new Pentecost (see Lk 1:39ff).

Promise:  "No one can say: 'Jesus is Lord,' except in the Holy Spirit." —1 Cor 12:3

Praise:  Praise the Holy Spirit, "Father of the poor" and "most blessed Light divine!" (Pentecost sequence)

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, January 4, 2001


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, January 24, 2001