Pentecost (Sunday June 12 2011)

During the Homily today Father Swann called on us to remember today as the day of the birth of the church. We could not have the church without the gift we celebrate today which is the receiving of the third person in the Trinity, the HOLY SPIRIT. The Gospel today reflects on Jesus showing his hands and his side to the disciples. "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any they are retained." We were reminded that the disciples did not understand a lot of what Jesus said to them. We are also reminded that it is okay to have enthusiasm in regards to our blessed worshipping community. In conclusion of today's Homily Father Swann reminded us that enthusiasm is in Greek "entheos" meaning inspired by, or possessed by God. It is okay to have enthusiasm especially when you think of the Baptismal Covenant and the grace we receive at our Baptism where we are sealed by the Holy Spirit. Come, Holy Spirit, fill our souls.

Collect:

Almighty God, on this day you opened the way of eternal life to every race and nation by the promised gift of your Holy Spirit: Shed abroad this gift throughout the world by the preaching of the Gospel, that it may reach to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(1st Reading Numbers 11:24-30/ or Acts 2:1-21, Psalm 104:25-35,37 2nd Reading I Corinthians 12:3b-13 Holy Gospel John 20:19-23 or John 7:37-39)