My dear parishioners and visitors.
Last Sunday we celebrated the Ascension of our Lord. This Sunday we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost.
Pentecost was a Jewish festival fifty days after Passover to celebrate the giving of the Law to Moses on Mount Sinai (Ex 19:16-19). The biblical event in Acts 2:1-13, taken place on Pentecost, was the manifestation and the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles fifty days after Jesus’ resurrection. This special event is seen as the birthday of the Church and the beginning of her public universal ministry to proclaim the Good News of salvation to the whole world. These fearful Apostles (Jn. 20:19) were completely changed and transformed into the courageous Ones, fearlessly and generously going into all the world to proclaim the Good News to the whole creation (Mk. 16:15). They spoke perfectly and miraculously communicated the Gospel to those being there. It is the life-giving power of God’s Spirit creating a new dynamic for the Church and for the world (Gen. 1:1-31 & 2:7; Ez 37:1-14; Ps. 104:30).
Action for this week: Learn a prayer to the Holy Spirit and say it daily.
We have learned together about Sacred Reading (Lectio Divina), a traditional way of praying with the Bible. This ancient way of prayer, with its 5 steps: reading, meditating, praying, contemplating and acting, help us to encounter God in his Sacred Word and respond to his grace. Step 3: Oratio (prayer): After reading slowly the text and carefully meditating on it, you now devoutly speak to God in prayer. Prayer is a loving, simple conversation with God. This step is prayerful responding to God. Open yourself to be touched and changed by His Word.
Happy Feast Day: the Pentecost and have a good week. Fr. Peter Hoan Nguyen.