Pentecost Sunday

Mass Readings

• First Reading Acts 2:1-11
• Responsorial Psalm Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34
• Second Reading 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13
• Gospel John 20:19-23

Open the Mass Readings on USCCB.org →

These are the readings for Mass during the Day. In Year B the second reading may instead be Galatians 5:16-25, and the Gospel may instead be John 15:26-27; 16:12-15.

Step Into the Story

Pentecost, Greek for “fiftieth,” was the Jewish Feast of Weeks, kept fifty days after Passover, when two loaves from the new wheat were offered at the Temple. By the first century some Jews likely linked it with the giving of the Law at Sinai, where God came down in fire. At Babel, Genesis says, pride scattered the world’s languages. Paul, writing to Corinth in the mid 50s A.D., says the Spirit makes many parts into one body.

1. 14 A.D.Tiberius becomes emperor
2. 26 A.D.Pilate becomes prefect
3. c. 30 A.D.Jesus is crucified
4. c. 30 A.D.Jesus ascends
5. This week’s scene: c. 30 A.D.The Spirit comes at Pentecost

Come into Jerusalem on the morning of the feast, fifty days after the Resurrection; the year is probably 30 A.D. The wheat harvest is in, and the city is crammed with pilgrims from Parthia to Rome, from Crete and Arabia, Cappadocia and Egypt. Hear a dozen languages in a single lane. Below the Temple’s southern steps, worshippers queue for the ritual baths to purify themselves before going up.

Slip into the house where the disciples are gathered, all together in one place. It is early, around nine. Sit among them in the quiet. Feel the morning warmth. Then hear a sound from the sky like a rushing wind, filling the whole house. Stay where you are, and look up.

Encounter the Lord

Sit in the upper room with Mary and the apostles. You have prayed together for nine days. Suddenly there is a roar like wind, and a flame settles over each head, over yours. Something in you that was locked is opened. You go out into the street and begin to speak.

The same Spirit came to you in Baptism and Confirmation. He is not a vague force but a divine Person, the love of the Father and the Son, living in you. He makes it possible for you to say “Jesus is Lord” and mean it. He gives you gifts, not for your own sake, but to build up the Body of Christ. Fearful disciples became bold witnesses in one morning. He can do the same with your fears.

Today, pray the sequence “Come, Holy Spirit” slowly. Then ask Him which of His gifts you have left unused, and use it this week to serve someone in your parish.

Know Your Faith

The Spirit Poured Out

On the day of Pentecost, Christ’s Passover is fulfilled in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, manifested, given and communicated as a divine person (CCC 731). On that day the Holy Trinity is fully revealed (CCC 732).

The Birthday of the Church

The Church was made manifest to the world on the day of Pentecost by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (CCC 1076). The Spirit was sent to sanctify the Church continually, and the spread of the Gospel among the nations began (CCC 767).

Many Gifts, One Body

What the soul is to the human body, the Holy Spirit is to the Body of Christ, the Church (CCC 797). He builds up the whole Body in charity through God’s Word, the sacraments and the many special graces He gives (CCC 798).

The Spirit in Every Christian

The effect of Confirmation is the full outpouring of the Holy Spirit as once granted to the apostles on Pentecost (CCC 1302). The seven gifts of the Spirit make the faithful docile in readily obeying divine inspirations (CCC 1831).