Sunday, May 24, 2015

Solemnity of Pentecost

 Solemnity of Pentecost
Fifty days after Easter
In honor of the Holy Spirit - wear RED to holy Mass today!
 
"The world needs men and women who are not closed
in on themselves, but filled with the Holy Spirit."
 
Pope Francis,  Pentecost Homily 2015  (full text - see link below)
 
Today is Pentecost. It is not merely a reminder of a past event, but a continuation of the Spirit renewing the face of the earth (Psalm 104:30). Today's Pentecost will not be a shadow of the first Pentecost, rather the first Pentecost is a shadow of today's Pentecost. God's grace is abounding all the more (Romans 5:20). The Spirit is not diminishing His work in our world, but increasing it. It will not be only thousands who come to Jesus today (Acts 2:41), but millions. The waters of the Spirit become deeper as they flow further around the world and into history (Ezekiel 47:5). 
 
 Come, Holy Spirit, Come!
 
Artist: Juan de Flandes
 
"The Church draws her life from the Eucharist. This truth does not simply express a daily experience of faith, but recapitulates the heart of the mystery of the Church. In a variety of ways she joyfully experiences the constant fulfillment of the promise: “Lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age” (Mt 28:20), but in the Holy Eucharist, through the changing of bread and wine into the body and blood of the Lord, she rejoices in this presence with unique intensity.

Ever since Pentecost, when the Church, the People of the New Covenant, began her pilgrim journey towards her heavenly homeland, the Divine Sacrament has continued to mark the passing of her days, filling them with confident hope." (Introduction, 1)
 
Encyclical Letter, Ecclesia de Eucharistia
Pope St John Paul II
On the Eucharist in its relationship to the Church
 

"There is no greater freedom than that
of allowing oneself to be guided by the Holy Spirit,
renouncing the attempt to plan and control everything to the last detail, 
and instead letting him enlighten, guide, and direct us, 
leading us wherever He wills. 

The Holy Spirit knows well what is needed in every time and place. 
This is what it means to be mysteriously fruitful!" 

 Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium #280
 

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