What would you say to someone who asked about the impact of faith in your life? How do you “speak” to your faith through your actions as well as your words?
Those who were gathered in the upper room at Pentecost experienced an outpouring of the Holy Spirit that prompted them to speak in different tongues — people from every race and nation understood them as they shared the Good News of Jesus’ resurrection with all who would listen.
We may not speak in foreign tongues, but in Baptism and Confirmation, we too have received the Holy Spirit.
Perhaps we sometimes read the account of what took place at Pentecost and dismiss it by thinking to ourselves, “surely, I am not called to speak in a language I do not know.” Maybe in thinking the story as something too distant or remote, we miss the point of the account for us in our lives today.
In what “tongue” is the Holy Spirit prompting you to speak? Perhaps you are called to encourage a friend to be open to a relationship with Jesus; maybe to spend time with someone who is struggling with illness, aging, or loneliness; perhaps an acquaintance is in the midst of difficulty at work or in a relationship and needs your support; maybe you have an opportunity to serve in a new way, to reach out to those who are in need of clothing, housing, or food; perhaps a co-worker knows you go to church on Sunday and has opened the door to a conversation about faith.
Pentecost reminds us that we are not alone when we answer the call to open our hearts to God and allow faith to shape our lives. The Holy Spirit dwells within and among us!
Remember that the disciples who were gathered on the day of Pentecost had previously been afraid and uncertain, locked in a room, withdrawn from the world. With the outpouring of the Spirit, they were made bold in the ways they shared the impact of Christ with others. The Holy Spirit is with us as well, emboldening us to share God’s love in all of the ways we are able.
The question for us is, how will we “speak” to others in what we say and do, that they may know God’s love through us?
The Body of Christ
The people were tired and hungry. They had ventured away from their homes to hear Jesus teach. Jesus recognizes their hunger and tells the disciples to feed them. The disciples wonder: how could they feed all the people who had gathered?
The disciples gave Jesus the loaves and fish they had, and Jesus turned their offering into food for thousands.
What gifts have we been given that we may put in the Lord’s hands? When we come to Mass, we know that the bread and wine are consecrated and become Christ’s Body and Blood. What we may miss is that we also bring ourselves, our gifts and talents, and our material resources to be sanctified. Then, as we receive Holy Communion, we are reminded that we are members of Christ’s Body. Receiving the Body and Blood of our Lord calls us to share all that we are and have as good stewards, in communion with Christ and one another.
“Amen” means “I do believe!” “So be it!” “Let it be so!”
What do you mean when you say “Amen”? What do you bring to the Lord to be transformed and used to feed others physically, emotionally, or spiritually?
As is their habit, Joe and Rachel sat on Sunday evening with their calendars, thinking ahead to the coming week. Rachel had a big meeting on Tuesday that would end with dinner and delay her return home; Joe’s brother would be visiting on Wednesday; the children had soccer practice. While it is all manageable, the two of them seemed to think the same thing simultaneously: Is there a way to keep perspective in the midst of all the “stuff” that is part of their lives? Joe was the first to say it aloud, as Rachel nodded. Then she said, “Remember the readings today at Mass, and our conversation in the car on the way home? “Maybe it is time for us to take to heart our call to follow Jesus and find hope in faith. If we put God first, and dedicate some time each month to serving others, who knows what could happen?”