June 12, 2011: Pentecost Sunday
Catholic Social Teaching: Solidarity
First Reading: Acts 2:1-11
Psalm: 104
Second Reading: 1st Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13
Gospel: John 20:19-23
In addition, the Second Reading from the Vigil Mass was incorporated into the reflection: Romans 8:22-27
Prepared with a blessing of peace, the disciples received the gift of the Holy Spirit. If our lives wrestle in turmoil, distractions or distrust, we ignore that same gift. Only when we root ourselves in peace can we reflect upon our weakness, our inability to pray, so the Spirit intercedes and is manifest in our lives. We each receive different spiritual gifts for different forms of service. All gifts bestowed by the same Spirit serve the same Lord in the workings of the same God. That unity of the Trinity, we are asked to live by how we offer peace to others and take initiative in the Lord sending us to be His body. This unity can be manifest in our parishes when social justice ministries collaborate and integrate outreach into the fabric of parish life. To live as Communities of Salt and Light reflects the Holy Spirit present and active in our lives. We live with the words of Confirmation infused in our hearts and present in the work of our hands by knowing the Holy Spirit is our helper and guide, gives us a Spirit of wisdom, understanding, right judgement, courage, knowledge, reverence, wonder and awe to be in God’s presence.
Individual Reflection: 1st Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13
On the USCCB website read Communities of Salt and Light. Reflect upon how your parish might more fully implement this framework and prayerfully, under guidance of the Holy Spirit, how might you use your gifts in some of the components.
Family Reflection: John 20:19-23
As a family, together pray the Prayer to the Holy Spirit for one week. After those seven days talk about what it has meant to your faith:
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth. O God, You instructed the hearts of those who believe in You by the light of the Holy Spirit. Grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise and ever to rejoice in His consolation; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The reflection may be reproduced for use in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concerns.
Just discovered your site this morning – thank you for the inspiration! I write a weekly bulletin message on Catholic social teaching for a handful of parishes in our diocese, and it always helps to find new perspectives on the lectionary readings and ties to social justice (especially since I have been doing this for a number of years!). Thank you for sharing your reflections so freely.
HI Laura
Glad you find the reflections inspirational. What diocese are you in?
I have a blast list that I send the weekly reflections to people that use them in bulletins or for faith sharing groups– would you like me to add your email to that list , so you would not have to check this site?
Peace on
Barb