May 24 – The Solemnity of Pentecost


Scripture: Acts 2:1-7, 11   First Reading from Mass

 

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?  . . . (verse 11) yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.”   


Praise and Prayer: “Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth” from responsorial psalm, Psalm 104

Lord, open wide our hearts and pour in your Holy Spirit.


             

Worship the Lord: 

REST ON US MAVERICK CITY MUSIC & UPPERROOM 

FRESH WIND Hillsong 

SET A FIRE  Jesus Culture

SPIRIT MOVE Bethel Music

COME DOWN O LOVE DIVINE  Here is a LINK  to the words


Lectio Divina: Praying with God’s Holy Word. Prayerfully read the Gospel passage, Acts 2:1-7, 11, and use the questions below to guide your discussion.


Imagine that you are one of the Apostles in this story. Do you remember how you felt on the day when Jesus ascended into Heaven? Were you wondering why he went away? Were you confused? Sad? Were you wondering how you were going to “make disciples of all nations” if Jesus was not going to be with you? What did you think when Jesus said to “wait until you are clothed with power from on high”? Did you wonder what being “clothed with power” would be like?


Now read the story of Pentecost and look at all the details. Answer the questions: The people in the upper room heard a very loud noise. Where did the noise seem to come from? What did it sound like? Imagine a time when you heard a similar sound. What happened next? What did the people in the story see? Imagine what it would look and feel like to have something like “fire” come down and rest on you, fill you, change you. The Holy Spirit does not have a body – he is a pure spirit. So he can fill up any empty space and he can fill up our soul with his love, life, and power as he did for all the Apostles, women and other disciples who were there on the day of Pentecost. Isn’t that amazing? Did the Apostles stay locked up in the upper room after they received the Holy Spirit? No way! They went out to start preaching the Good News! And many, many people who heard the Good News that day came to believe in Jesus. (Read Acts 2:41 to find out how many people were baptized that day.) The Apostles were starting to “make disciples of all nations”. It was just the beginning of many, many adventures to come! Now do you think the Apostles understood what Jesus meant when he said they would be “clothed with power”? Do you know that the promise of the Holy Spirit is for you too? When did you first receive the Holy Spirit? How do you see the Holy Spirit working in your life? Would you like to ask him for more? He always has more!


Visio Divina: Praying with sacred art. Prayerfully study the painting below and try to imagine that you are in the scene. 

Would you like to pray with this story more? Look at the artwork on the next page. It is a beautiful painting of Pentecost by Bernard van Orley (1488-1541, Netherlands). It will help you to imagine what it was like to be an Apostle, or Mother Mary, in the upper room on the day of Pentecost. Look closely at their eyes. Look closely at the expressions on their faces. Look at what they are doing with their bodies. What do you think the artist wants you to learn and experience from this painting?

   

Called to Greatness: Jesus promised that his Father would give the Holy Spirit to anyone who asks! (see Luke 11:13 if you want proof). This is great news! So, go ahead and ask. And did you know that children do not get a “mini” Holy Spirit? Kids get the same BIG Holy Spirit as adults do!


Closing Prayer: “Divine Spirit, renew your wonders in our time, as though for a new Pentecost, and grant that the Holy Church, preserving unanimous and continuous prayer, together with Mary the Mother of Jesus, and also under the guidance of St. Peter, may increase the reign of the Divine Saviour, the reign of truth and justice, the reign of love and peace. Amen.” Pope John XXIII’s Prayer to the Holy Spirit (1961)


Celebration Ideas:

  • Fly a kite or blow bubbles outdoors to remind you of the Wind of the Holy Spirit.
  • Make a birthday cake to celebrate the birthday of the Church. Sing Happy Birthday!
  • Have dinner by candlelight, or make a bonfire later to remind you of the Fire of the Holy Spirit. (Ask your parents for permission and help.)
  • Make Pentecost headbands by using a strip of paper to fit around your head. Use colored construction paper or color white paper to make a flame to glue or staple onto the front. Be as simple or fancy as you like!
  • Sing The Fruit of the Spirit song. Here is a FUNNY VERSION