Pentecost Sunday

Our readings for Pentecost Sunday of Easter:

1. Acts 2: 1-11
2. Psalms 104: 1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34
3. 1 Corinthians 12: 3b-7, 12-13
4. John 20: 19-23

• Getting the word out
• Its understandable to look back at those early days of the Church and feel some long-term nostalgia.  Those first disciples didn't have Jesus in bodily form anymore.  Threats of persecution from the Jews and the Romans were present.  Doctrinal differences from within were emerging.  Yet, in spite of those challenges, the early Church managed to not only survive but thrive.
• Do you think that our Church today is doing any better or worse at addressing the challenges before us?
• What do you think was the secret of those earliest Christians?
• Can we apply any of their approach to the challenges that we face today?
• Where can we start here, now? 

• The mind of God
• Unlike us, God is able to multi-task quite well.  We are individually and corporately in His thoughts every minute of every day.  We are each part of the ongoing miracle of the abundant life that He has in store for all of His creatures.
• If you could have a face to face with God, would you?
• Would you come with an agenda, things that you wanted to be sure came up in the conversation?
• How much would such an encounter be different from normal time that you spend in prayer?
• Why is that? 

• Finding your charism(s)
• A charism is a gift of the Holy Spirit bestowed upon a community (such as the teaching charism that the Sr.s of St. Louis share with their students) or an individual.  God gives charisms to build up His Kingdom.
• What do you think your charism(s) are?
• Do you think that your closest friends would agree?
• Do you think that you are making the best use of those gifts?
• How would you know? 
  

• Go, you are sent
• There are a number of things that Jesus didn't say in this passage.  He didn't say that there was no danger to His disciples.  He didn't say that everything was always going to go their way.  What He did do was to give them a mission, and that transformed them.
• Where have you seen the Presence of the Holy Spirit at work?
• What had to happen before the Holy Spirit could work in that situation?
• How can we as a community be more open to the Holy Spirit in our community?
• How do you think that you, as an individual could be more open to the Holy Spirit in your life? 
  

• Preparation for Reconciliation
• What of your life in Christ would you most want to share?
• What is getting in the way of a better prayer life for you?
• Are you making full use of God's gifts to you?
• What in your life is robbing you of peace? 

 Peace Give I to Thee

Lo

I am with you always

Even unto the end of time.

 

Dangers,

Uncertainty,

And more will come your way.

 

But know that none of that -

In any way -

Changes your call, nor my promise.

 

 Lord, give me your peace and no other.

Help me to look to you above all else.

And in you, find the true meaning of all else.

 

That I might see the life that You have given -

In its proper light.

Your gift, to serve Your Kingdom.

 

I give up my claim to security, certainty, clarity.

None of them were mine to begin with.

Help me to know your great "I am" in all things.

 

And in giving up all to you, I find you in all. 

 

Shalom!