My Super All In One!

“ The Father bears witness from heaven to His Son. The Holy Spirit bears witness, coming down bodily in the form of a dove. The archangel Gabriel bears witness, bringing the good tidings to Mary. The Virgin Mother of God bears witness.”

- St. Cyril of Jerusalem

First Reading: Acts 2:1-11

When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire,  which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues,

as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem. At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, "Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans? Then how does each of us hear them in his own native language?

We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as travelers from Rome, both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God."

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34

Second Reading: First Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13

Therefore, I tell you that nobody speaking by the spirit of God says, "Jesus be accursed." And no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the holy Spirit. There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many,  For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.

Gospel: John 20:19-23

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."

Reflection
By Anabelle Payod-Balla

I love watching movies. Movies would normally run for one and a half hours or two. But we all know that it takes months or even years to make a very good movie. We see the actors and the actresses on screen but we also know that there are more people other than those we see on screen who played important roles to make the movie happen. We don't see their faces in the movie, they are not hogging the limelight. We only see their names shown on the last part of the movie, when people are already on their way out and no longer paying attention to the screen.

Unlike Jesus, Mother Mary and some famous saints, the Holy Spirit seems to have lesser devotees. It is not common to hear Novena to the Holy Spirit. Though I would say that in most prayers, we always seek the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit. We know that He is always there, working behind the scene.

I am lucky to have known the Holy Spirit in the early years of my life. I got hold of this prayer to the Holy Spirit when I was in college and I’ve been reciting it as part of my daily night prayer ever since. I feel that I cannot go on without His help. I embraced Him as a vital part of my being, of my family. For me, the Holy Spirit is the life within me. He is my strength, my wisdom, my help, my protector, my comforter, my counselor, my director, my guide! I feel Him. He is like the music in me Who makes me sing in gladness, the wind beneath my wings, the force that helps make wonderful things happen in my life. He is the joy within that nourishes my soul! I love the Holy Spirit and He is with me and my family always. And I am sure, He is with you as well, just waiting for you to make Him part of your life.

As we celebrate the Pentecost, let us welcome and embrace the Holy Spirit and receive again His wonderful gifts of wisdom, understanding, fear of the Lord , counsel, knowledge, fortitude, and piety (reverence). Let us listen and obey His promptings. Let us allow Him to dwell in us so we can bear and share His fruits of charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, and chastity.

Choose the Holy Spirit to be your constant companion. He will keep us close to the Father always.

Prayer

O Holy Spirit soul of my soul, enlighten, guide, strengthen, and console me. Teach me what I should do. Give me Your orders and I promise to be submissive in all that You desire of me and to accept all that You allow to happen to me. Grant only to me to know Your will.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and kindle 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.

Oh God, Who by the light of the Holy Spirit, has taught the hearts of Your faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit, we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolations, through Christ Our Lord, Amen.