By Fr. Andrew Kelly
PENTECOST SUNDAY – MAY 27, 2012
In 2012, being a believing member of a faith community is not easy. But every year Pentecost Sunday is celebrated and the community remembers: “Oh this is why we (I) believe.”
Two Gospels may be proclaimed on Pentecost Sunday: John 20:19-23 or John 15:26-27, 16:12-15.
These Gospels still excite. What the risen Jesus did in the beginning Jesus still does in 2012 within a community willing to believe.
On Sunday, imagine John 20:19-23: “…he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’”
Imagine a faith community filled with compassion, forgiveness and reconciliation. This is the sign of Jesus’ Spirit among believing communities.
If the community believes Jesus’ promise, everything becomes possible:
“When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. You also are to testify because you have been with me from the beginning.” (John 15:26-27, 16:12-15)
Pentecost 2012 can become a new community beginning based on believing Jesus’ promised words about the Spirit.
(Father Andrew Kelly is a retired priest of the Diocese of Davenport.)
Scripture Readings for May 27 to June 3
Sunday
Acts 2:1-11
1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13 or Gal 5:16-25
Jn 20:19-23 or Jn 15:26-27; 16:12-15
Monday
1 Pt 1:3-9
Mk 10:17-27
Tuesday
1 Pt 1:10-16
Mk 10:28-31
Wednesday
1 Pt 1:18-25
Mk 10:32-45
Thursday
Zep 3:14-18a or Rom 12:9-16
Lk 1:39-56
Friday
1 Pt 4:7-13
Mk 11:11-26
Saturday
Jude 17, 20b-25
Mk 11:27-33
Sunday
Dt 4:32-34, 39-40
Rom 8:14-17
Mt 28:16-20
