Pentecost - "Receive the Holy Spirit"

Often called by many the "birthday of the Church," the Feast of Pentecost is a memorial of one of the most important days in the Church's history. For, before he ascended into heaven, Jesus promised that he would send the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, to be among his disciples. When that day came, the Holy Spirit filled the hearts of the disciples and gave them the gifts they needed, most especially courage, to go forth and proclaim the Gospel to all the world!

One of the options for the second reading, from Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians, reminds us that "To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit." We are all part of the larger body of the Church, and we each have a unique part to play, just as the different parts of the body have their purposes. So, as we celebrate this feast and pray for a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Church, lets us also pray that each one of us may be open and ready to take up our role in the Church! For none of us are given the gifts and talents we have for our own benefit, but for the benefit of all the world and of the Church!

Want to prepare your heart and mind for Pentecost? Click here to find the readings.