Acts of the Apostles 2:1-11
The Holy Spirit descends upon the apostles gathered in Jerusalem.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 104:1,24,29-31,34
God's Spirit renews the earth.
Second Reading
1 Corinthians 12:3b-7,12-13
We are all one in Christ Jesus.
Gospel Reading
John 20:19-23
Jesus appears to his disciples and gives them the gift of the Holy Spirit.
On the evening of that first day of the week,
when the doors were locked, where the disciples were,
for fear of the Jews,
Jesus came and stood in their midst
and said to them, "Peace be with you."
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.
The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you.
As the Father has sent me, so I send you."
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,
"Receive the Holy Spirit.
Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them,
and whose sins you retain are retained."
Background on the Gospel Reading
The season of Easter concludes with today's celebration, the feast of
Pentecost. On Pentecost we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon
the apostles gathered in the upper room in Jerusalem; this event marks the
beginning of the Church. The story of Pentecost is found in the Acts of
the Apostles, today's first reading. The account in today's Gospel, John
20:19-23, also recounts how Jesus gave the gift of the Holy Spirit to his
disciples. Yet the event in John's Gospel takes place on Easter Sunday.
There is no need to try to reconcile these two accounts. It is to we know
that after his death, Jesus fulfilled his promise to send to his disciples
a helper, an Advocate, who would enable them to be his witnesses
throughout the world.
In the context of the feast of Pentecost, John 20:19-23 reminds us about
the integral connection between the gifts of peace and forgiveness and the
action of the Holy Spirit. Jesus greets his disciples with the gift of
peace. Jesus then commissions his disciples to continue the work that he
has begun: "As the Father has sent me, so I send you." He breathes the
Holy Spirit upon the disciples and sends them to continue his work of
reconciliation through the forgiveness of sins. Jesus' act of breathing
the Holy Spirit upon the apostles mirrors God's act of breathing life into
Adam. In fact, both the Greek and Hebrew words for "spirit" can also be
translated as "breath." This Gospel reminds us that the Church is called
to be a reconciling presence in the world. The reconciling presence of
Christ is celebrated in the Church's sacramental life. In the Sacrament of
Baptism, we are cleansed of sin and become a new creation in Christ. In
the Sacrament of Penance, the Church celebrates the mercy of God through
the forgiveness of sins. This reconciling presence is also to be a way of
life for Christians. In situations of conflict, we are to be agents of
peace and harmony among people.
Family Connection
Pentecost is sometimes called the birthday of the Church. The Gospel for
Pentecost reminds us that the Church begins with the command to forgive.
Within the family, the domestic church, we learn how to forgive and how to
accept forgiveness. The gift of the Holy Spirit enables us to do both.
Today is a fitting time to share a family celebration of reconciliation.As
you gather together as a family, sit quietly for a few minutes, inviting
everyone to reflect upon their need to forgive and to receive forgiveness.
If there is a situation or issue within the family that needs attention,
spend some time reflecting on how your family might address it. Read
together today's Gospel, John 20:19-23. Talk together about how Jesus gave
us the gift of the Holy Spirit to help us in the work of forgiveness and
to bring us peace. Pray together today's psalm or the Prayer to the Holy
Spirit, asking that the Holy Spirit help your family. Share with one
another the Sign of Peace.
Sources: Loyola Press; Sunday Readings
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