Pentecost - June 8, 2025 (Year C)

The Sunday of Pentecost marks both a beginning and an end.  In the readings this week, we hear how the Holy Spirit has been sent forth to dwell with the apostles, thus beginning their missions to the world.  Now, there are two reading options for both the Second Reading and the Gospel, all options sharing a similar message, conveyed in a slightly different tone.  Which is fitting, given Paul's words to the Corinthians: 'There are different workings but the same God who produces them all of them in everyone'.  And in this same letter, we hear that we are all baptized by the Spirit into the same body, that of Jesus.  We must heed and act with this in mind, that we are always in the presence of the Holy Spirit.  We are empowered by the love that God displayed by sending, first, the Son and, second, the Holy Spirit, to guide and protect us.

Now, I mentioned that this weekend marks both a beginning and an end.  The season of Easter comes to a close this week, and we enter back into Ordinary Time next Sunday.  And think of the apostles, as their time with the Risen Jesus, their Easter season, came to a close last week with the Ascension, think of their bewilderment and confusion, knowing the Universal Truth of God and yet wondering what to do next as Jesus joined his Father.  Enter the Holy Spirit, filling them with courage for their journey.  We too must continue with conviction and courage into the next period of the the Liturgical Calendar, and also into our lives, living in a way that shows what we know to be True: Jesus is Risen.


Disclaimer: This will be at the bottom of all reflections, but I’m not intending to put out any sort of professional critique, attempt at a homily, or investigation into the historicity of the readings, but will “let the Spirit move me” as some say, to share what has spoken to me in my reading and reflection on the set of Readings for each week.  

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