Tag: pentecost

Everyone, Everywhere

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic, Pentecost
A white dove flying with wings spread above a soft orange flame background.

Greetings on this Pentecost Sunday
Readings: Acts 2:1-11; Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34 ; 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13; John 20:19-23

Summary

The first imperative of love is perfectly paired with the primal human need to be heard, understood, and responded to, Everyone, Everywhere.

A very simple example is that all infants communicate basic needs from the moment they are born. These are universal, pre-cry, reflex sounds. Loving parents immediately begin trying to “translate” what their newborn is communicating (especially before the crying begins). In a similar way, Pentecost is not merely “miraculous speech.” – for Star Trek fans – not merely a universal translator – It is divine love making itself intelligible. “To see me” and “to hear me” is an act of love. Speaking to someone in their own language is recognition of unique personhood.

When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. 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 (Acts 2:1, 3-4).

Pentecost is first and foremost a gift, a gift Proceeding from the Father and the Son. A gift of gathering in, personally abiding on all of them, and making possible again true communication damaged since the ancient story of the Tower of Babel. Pentecost is also the revelation of the Person of the Holy Spirit. The Church wisely celebrates the Holy Spirit for two Sunday Celebrations: Pentecost and Trinity Sunday (which is next week).

  • What proceeds most fully from the Father and the Son? The Pentecost of communication (communion) and knowing the Lord as well as each other.
  • How very sorely we need to listen and understand each other with the Holy Spirit because he illumines, guides, unites, reveals, and sanctifies.

Everyone and Everywhere.

The Church calls this “synodality” — learning again to walk together, listen to one another and hear the Holy Spirit speaking through the lived experiences, languages and gifts of the People of God. Pentecost is the divine foundation of that reality. Pentecost arrives (and is renewed) before humanity collapses entirely into fragmentation.

Reflection

  • From every nation under the Sun, the devout Jews gathered, converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs.
  • Everyone from Everywhere.
  • All different languages, different customs and different worldviews.
  • Each of them blessed with the gift of the Holy Spirit – among the gifts – Communication. True relation.

From different places and self-identified as citizens of different countries:

  • Parthians
  • Medes
  • 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.

Personal Reflection

Pentecost is a spiritual reversal of the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9, Tower of Babel). Gathering again the people in one place, retaining the beauty of the variety of languages but removing from them the pride and vanity that causes division and strife. In this great movement of the Holy Spirit, we are now able to hear God and one another. Each in his own language and frame of reference. Clearly and specifically the divine message comes through the lips of others.

Even our Holy Eucharist, which we will celebrate shortly, is made fully known in the Spirit of God.

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 (1 Cor 12:13).

Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth (PS 104:30).

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/052426-Day
Sequence — Veni, Sancte Spiritus – here: https://deacongerrypalermo.blog/2022/06/05/veni-sancte-spiritus/
The five Pre-Cry sounds of babies – The 5 sounds, spelled phonetically, are “NEH” – “EH” – EAIRH” – “HEH” and OWH” – Here: https://www.dunstanbaby.com/

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Pentecost Is Personal

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic, Pentecost, Uncategorized

Greetings on this the Pentecost Sunday – Mass during the Day
Readings: Acts 2:1-11; Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34; 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13; John 20:19-23

Summary

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.” (Jn 20:22-23).

Reflection

The Holy Spirit comes as a personal friend to each and every one of us, each in our own station.

Upon Jesus himself

The Holy Spirit came upon Jesus at his baptism by John the Baptist: John testified further, saying, “I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky and remain upon him. I did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the holy Spirit.’ (Jn 1:32-33).

Upon the Disciples (10 of the 12) in Private

[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. (Jn 20:21-23).

Upon the Apostles in Public

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 (Acts 2:1-4).

Upon the People

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.” (Acts 2:8-11).

Upon You

In your Confirmation you share this blessing in proportion to the Person of Jesus (dove), Disciples (tongues of fire), and the Ministry of Proclamation (and receiving the blessings of the Holy Spirit).

Personal Reflection

Happy Pentecost! The Lord gives you himself as gift! The Dove of Peace, the Flame of Love and the Peace (Friendship) of God.

  • Gifts coming from the person of God: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord.
  • Fruits that result: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Sacred Readings Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/060825-Day.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

The Gift of the Holy Spirit: A Source of Blessings for Everyone of Good Will

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic, Easter
A welcome sign after a long trail hike is a relief!

Greetings on this the Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Readings: Acts 19:1-8; PS 68:2-3ab, 4-5acd, 6-7ab; Jn 16:29-33

Notes

The faith journey can at times seem quite lonely. Friends and family do not necessarily share the same beliefs or intensity of beliefs. That’s OK. Everything comes in phases, in time and in varying degrees of fullness. But you are not alone. And the gifts of the Father and of the Son, specifically the Holy Spirit, is for everyone of Good Will.

Summary

In our first reading today the twelve men where preaching the baptism of John the Baptist well after the Christ event had occurred. Amazing men, actually. They received the proto Good News and were happy to share it and live it as best they could and in a way pleasing to God without the direct benefit of the Holy Spirit. When they encountered Paul and learned of the complete story of the Good News of Jesus Christ they were immediately Baptized, Confirmed (laying of hands and the gift of the Holy Spirit) and their new life in Jesus began (see Acts 8:15-17 and Acts 10:44-45)! We can infer that Paul stayed and taught them for three month (He entered the synagogue, and for three months debated boldly with persuasive arguments about the Kingdom of God.)

Reflection

Sacred Scripture takes good time and multiple examples of the imparting of the gift of the Holy Spirit apart from Pentecost, the grand expression of this gift. We’ll celebrate the grand expression of Pentecost next Sunday. Three is no dividing line. Men, women, Gentile, Jew and all people of Good Will receiving the gift.

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.

Personal Reflection

The Lord has not left us orphans. He sends others to share the good news. He sends the third person of the Holy Trinity to teach and guide us. He gives us the CHurch, a centering source of blessings, especially the Eucharistic gift. I am not alone. I am in the company of Saints and indwelling with the Divine Presence.

First Reading

When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. Altogether there were about twelve men.

Responsorial

Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.

Gospel Acclamation

If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

Gospel

But I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry