Scripture for Mass
Acts 2:1-11
Psalm 104(103): 1ab, 24ac. 29b-30. 31, 34. Response cf.: 30
1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13
John 20:19-23
There are many ways of seeing the Church and understanding its mission. For some, the Church consists of its hierarchy and its buildings to promote the Bible and the sacraments. For others, the Church is viewed as an institution whose primary concern is the preservation of its power and prestige.
Today’s feast of Pentecost invites us to reflect on how the first Christians understood the Church and its mission, so that we might be converted to God’s vision for his Church and his mission.
For the early Christians, the Church was the community of believers in the crucified and risen Christ. Moreover, that community believed that it was entrusted by Christ with continuing his mission of bringing God the Father’s unconditional love and mercy, peace and joy to a sinful and suffering world. Those early Christians soon discovered that they became much more effective in doing this when all its members collaborated with their various gifts and talents, which gradually led them to the realisation that they were the eyes, ears, hands and feet of the risen Christ.
What an astonishing insight! But what an impossible task had those early Christians not also realised that they were being led and empowered by the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit which had empowered Jesus throughout his public ministry.
On the Feast of Pentecost, we too are invited to see the Church as the community of all the baptised, chosen by God the Father and empowered by the Holy Spirit, to faithfully bring Christ’s healing and hope to the world.
Gracious God, we thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit, who enables us to believe in Christ and to recognise the continuation of his mission in the various ministries of the Christian community.
Forgive us for the many times we have failed to live out faithfully our vocation as members of Christ’s Body.
Grant healing and hope to those who have suffered because of our indifference or neglect.
Through a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit, strengthen the faith, hope and love of all the baptised – and enlighten those who are still searching for you.
We ask this through the risen and glorified Christ.
Amen.
Fr. Tim Mulroy
