Tag: Catholic

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Corpus Christi

person holding up two hands with words help me

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The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ Mass Readings

Reading 1: Exodus 24:3-8
Responsorial: Psalm 116:12-13, 15-18
Reading 2: Hebrews 9:11-15
Gospel: Mark 14:12-16, 22-26

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/060621.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Jesus is the mediator of the new covenant. (Hebrews 9:15).

Welcome back for another edition of deacon rudy’s notes! I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal, and together we’re going to break open the Word!

Today we celebrate the solemnity of the most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. How many people have had the experience of being invited to dinner to meet your significant other’s parents? It’s an emotionally charged experience filled with excitement but also anxiety and apprehension. It’s also a sign of real commitment. I mean – why put yourself through that experience if you’re not going to stick around?

Hollywood loves all the drama around this most important relationship event. Maybe you’ve seen the movie Meet The Parents (2000) with Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro. I think I’m showing my age, but it’s a theme that comes up over and over again on the big screen and the little screen. Right?

Once you move beyond the drama of that all-important first meeting, as your relationship with your significant other or spouse develops, you both begin to incorporate some of your respective family traditions and customs into your lives. Eventually you start to form some new family traditions.

Our deepening commitment to each other, through Christian marriage for example, changes us. Now, substitute the language of the church. There is an encounter that leads to transformation.

In today’s Gospel account from Mark, we observe a sacred Passover meal. The disciples do not seem anxious at all. It’s clear that they still don’t fully understand what Jesus is saying to them. But Jesus pushes forward.

He takes the bread, blesses and breaks it, then says, “Take it; this is my body” (Mark 14:22). Then he does the same with the cup. He gives thanks, shares it with them and then says, “This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many” (Mark 14:23-24).

Of course, we understand this to be the institution of the Eucharist. But notice what Jesus says as he blesses the cup. He says, “This is my blood of the covenant…” (Mark 14:24).
Matthew (26:28), Luke (22:20) and St. Paul (1 Corinthians 11:25) describe this as the blood of the new covenant. What does this mean?

Covenant is a solemn promise and it’s characterized by obligations and a sign. For the Jewish people, we know that circumcision was an individual sign of the covenant with Abraham. At the covenant with Moses, they kept circumcision as an individual sign, but they added keeping holy the Sabbath as a communal sign.

At the Last Supper, Jesus announces the new covenant that is actualized by his death to fulfill what he says in today’s Gospel, that his blood “will be shed for many” (Mark 14:24). The language he uses indicates the violence of his death. <1>

What is the promise of the new covenant offered to us? By accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, God offers us eternal life and the Kingdom of God.

What are the signs of this new covenant? The Eucharist is at the core of the new covenant. Participation in the Eucharist means baptism and being part of the community – of the Church.

How do we live this new covenant? Well, Jesus gave us the Great Commandment and so that we would understand what he meant, he said it in two ways: we must love God with our whole mind and heart and being, and we should love or neighbor as we love ourselves (Mark 12:28-34).

Like that first time when we met the parents, we should be transformed by accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and becoming a disciple of Jesus. If you believe – I mean if you really believe that what you receive in the Eucharist is the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus – it should change you! It should change me!

Now, how many people do you think have been exposed to the Eucharist and heard the Good News of Jesus Christ from the Last Supper to today? Through the great evangelization of the apostles and early disciples, the establishment of Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire, the migration of peoples, the printing press, colonialism, modern technology, would it be fair to suggest that millions – perhaps hundreds of millions of people (maybe billions) have been exposed to the Eucharist and heard the Good News?

I don’t think that’s unrealistic. Isn’t interesting that we sit here hundreds of millions of people removed from the Last Supper, and yet there’s still so much poverty in the world? Human trafficking is happening even in our own country! Slavery still exists. Corrupt business practices exploit the poor and middle class.

According to data collected by the Social Justice Resource Center, 4.6 billion people around the world live in poverty. About 2.1 billion people suffer malnutrition and 1 billion people don’t have access to safe drinking water. In 1970, the U.S. had the highest high school graduation rate in the world. Today, the U.S. ranks 23rd. The United Nations Human Rights Council estimates that 40 million men, women and children around the world live in slavery today. <2>

We can’t say “It’s not my fault!” Our governments and our businesses are at the heart of institutional sin. We elect people to office who design laws and policies which might discriminate against people in our own country and around the world. What about big business? How do big online retailers and big box stores bring us the lowest priced goods? Are they paying a living wage to our neighbors who work there? Are they paying a fair price for the goods they sell to us? Do we do business with big banks that use deceptive lending practices that exploit people, exclude people of color or take advantage of third world countries?

How is it that so many of us allow ourselves to be changed by the experience of meeting the parents for dinner, and yet so many “Christians” are not changed by the experience at the Eucharistic table?

Maybe it’s because we’re trapped by the lures of this world. We somehow get stuck on the hamster wheel and run and run and run as fast as we can, and yet so many live unfulfilled lives.

My brothers and sisters, I have Good News! Jesus Christ came to liberate us from the empty promises of this world! That’s why the Last Supper was celebrated at Passover. We’re talking about a new exodus! Just as Moses led the Israelites to life and freedom, so too will Jesus lead us to new life and freedom!

But Jesus will not force himself on anyone. Jesus offers liberation, but God gives you and I a choice. Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. But today isn’t a box we check off on our holy roller disco cards! The Eucharist demands a response! Will we continue to live saying, “It’s not my problem” or “I can’t get involved” or “What can I do?” Or will we allow the power of the Eucharist to transform us in love to serve God by serving our neighbors?

Homework! Nourished by the Word of God and the Eucharist, I invite you to reflect on the following two questions.
First, do we extend the reverence and respect we have for Jesus in the Eucharist to everyone we encounter?
Second, what are some ways in our everyday lives where we can be a better neighbor to others in our families, our parish, our town/state/and country?

I think doing our homework will help us live as intentional disciples. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May we all come to know the grace and the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ! In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

You’re listening to deacon rudy’s notes. Thank you for joining me today. Our theme music was composed by Silent Partner. You can find all sorts of helpful information on the website at www.deaconrudysnotes.org. I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal. Join me again next weekend as we break open the Word. Peace!

Image: Help Me. Artist unknown. JPEG.

Notes:
<1> Dawn Ottoni-Wilhelm, 323, Kindle.
<2> (See Social Justice Resource Center “Facts and Figures” https://socialjusticeresourcecenter.org/facts-and-figures/).

Bibliography/Suggested Readings:
1. Healy, Mary. The Gospel of Mark. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2008. Kindle.
2. Healy, Mary. Hebrews. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2016. Kindle.
3. Montague, George T. SM. Mark: A Popular Commentary on the Earliest Gospel. Steubenville, Ohio: Franciscan University Press, 1992.
4. Wilhelm, Dawn Ottoni. Preaching the Gospel of Mark: Proclaiming the Power of God. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2008. Kindle.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. The mercy seat: 433
2. Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice: 613-14, 1085, 2100
3. Jesus as celebrant of the heavenly liturgy: 662
4. The Holy Eucharist: 790, 1003, 1322-1419
5. The Eucharist and the communion of believers: 805, 950, 2181-2, 2637, 2845
6. Christians and Jews both celebrate Passover: 1096
7. The Eucharist as spiritual food: 1212, 1275, 1436, 2837

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/060621.cfm
Lectionary: 168

Reading 1
Exodus 24:3-8
When Moses came to the people and related all the words and ordinances of the LORD, they all answered with one voice, “We will do everything that the LORD has told us.” Moses then wrote down all the words of the LORD and, rising early the next day, he erected at the foot of the mountain an altar and twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel. Then, having sent certain young men of the Israelites to offer holocausts and sacrifice young bulls as peace offerings to the LORD, Moses took half of the blood and put it in large bowls; the other half he splashed on the altar. Taking the book of the covenant, he read it aloud to the people, who answered, “All that the LORD has said, we will heed and do.” Then he took the blood and sprinkled it on the people, saying, “This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words of his.”

Responsorial
Psalm 116:12-13, 15-16, 17-18
R. (13) I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord. or: R. Alleluia.
How shall I make a return to the LORD for all the good he has done for me? The cup of salvation I will take up, and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
R. I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord. or: R. Alleluia.
Precious in the eyes of the LORD is the death of his faithful ones. I am your servant, the son of your handmaid; you have loosed my bonds.
R. I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord. or: R. Alleluia.
To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving, and I will call upon the name of the LORD. My vows to the LORD I will pay in the presence of all his people.
R. I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord. or: R. Alleluia.

Reading 2
Hebrew 9:11-15
Brothers and sisters: When Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come to be, passing through the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made by hands, that is, not belonging to this creation, he entered once for all into the sanctuary, not with the blood of goats and calves but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls and the sprinkling of a heifer’s ashes can sanctify those who are defiled so that their flesh is cleansed, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to worship the living God.

For this reason he is mediator of a new covenant: since a death has taken place for deliverance from transgressions under the first covenant, those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance.

Alleluia
John 6:51
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the living bread that came down from heaven, says the Lord; whoever eats this bread will live forever.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Mark 14:12-16, 22-26
On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples said to him, “Where do you want us to go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?” He sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city and a man will meet you, carrying a jar of water. Follow him. Wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”‘ Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there.” The disciples then went off, entered the city, and found it just as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover. While they were eating, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many. Amen, I say to you, I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

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Trinity Sunday

trinity symbol

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The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity Mass Readings

Reading 1: Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40
Responsorial: Psalm 33:4-6, 9, 18-20, 22
Reading 2: Romans 8:14-17
Gospel: Matthew 28:16-20

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/053021.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

What exactly is the Trinity and what does it have to do with me?

Welcome back for another edition of deacon rudy’s notes! I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal, and together we’re going to break open the Word!

The Trinity is the whole of Christian doctrine. In the creed we recite during the Mass, we say everything in terms of the Trinity. “In fact, the whole creed is a statement of belief in the Trinity.” <1> We say, “We believe in one God, the Father who…” and then follows the doctrines of creation and providence; and “in the Son who…” then comes the doctrines of the incarnation, redemption and resurrection; and “in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life, who…” and finally come the doctrines of Scripture, tradition, the church and the end times. <2>

The Trinity is the ultimate example of agape love. That means total self-gift, total, unselfish reception, and a reciprocating total, self-gift. That’s why we often hold up the Trinity as an image for married couples. There’s so much we could unpack as we try to understand the Trinity. But holy Mother Church gave us the closing lines of the Matthew’s Gospel account to consider. So, let’s discuss Trinity through that lens.

In our Gospel this weekend from Matthew, Jesus affirms our belief in the Trinity. In the Great Commission, Jesus tells them to “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). This is the very heart of evangelization. Evangelization is sharing the Good News of Salvation in Jesus Christ. Evangelization is rooted in our belief in Trinity. The willingness to share the Good News – to evangelize – is an expression of our love as we try to imitate the selfless love of the Trinity.

That’s partly why we have the first two readings this weekend. The first reading from Deuteronomy refers to the Exodus. In our second reading from Romans, Paul sees salvation in Jesus Christ as the new Exodus. So, Jesus calls on the church to preach this new Exodus – the Good News.

Jesus gave this message to the eleven (Matthew 28:16). Now, “the eleven” of course refers to the apostles. We are an apostolic church which means that we believe our bishops today are the living apostles – that leadership has been handed down through a succession process from the first apostles to the present day. But can the apostles evangelize the world all by themselves?

Of course not! As the early church developed, we see the rise of priests and deacons. We see the formation of consecrated religious communities of men and women. And throughout history, we also see examples lay faithful evangelists.

Our church teaches us that by virtue of our baptism we all are obligated to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with everyone we encounter, beginning with those closest to us. In my personal experience, this is easier said than done.

For example, growing up, I wasn’t taught how to share my faith – what words to use to share my faith or how to defend the faith. I was raised in a time when we delegated the role of evangelist to the clergy and the consecrated religious. The rest of us were expected to absorb what we needed from the Mass perhaps through some holy osmosis because rarely in the Mass was my role as a disciple addressed.

This passive approach to evangelization is not what Jesus proclaimed in the Gospel. Jesus didn’t say, “if you’d like, you could go and baptize…” or “if it’s not too much trouble, would you go and baptize…” or “I hate to ask, but could you go and baptize.” No! Jesus said “Go” (Matthew 28:19).

How do we correct this problem today?

Our Protestant brothers and sisters spend a lot of time, especially during their youth, learning how to share their faith. Through various activities, they learn the words to use and how to use them. Now, we can’t take a trip on the way back machine and correct the past. But we can learn from the experiences of our Protestant brothers and sisters – from their successes and their setbacks.

We can and should help our clergy and our parishes explore new and innovative programs and strategies designed to help Catholic communities share their faith. It doesn’t matter whether you are eight or eighty. At every stage in life, we can share our faith. How we do that will change of course based on the stage of life we’re in and our experiences.

The Good News of Jesus is liberating and life-giving. This world which seems increasingly focused on the self above all else needs to hear the liberating message of the Good News of Jesus Christ!

Homework! Nourished by the Trinity through Word and the Eucharist, I invite you to reflect on the following two questions.
First, how can I support my clergy and my parish to learn more about evangelization training programs?
Second, how do I share the Good News with my family and friends?

I think doing our homework will help us as disciples honor Jesus’s instruction to go out into world! Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

You’re listening to deacon rudy’s notes. Thank you for joining me today. Our theme music was composed by Silent Partner. You can find all sorts of helpful information on the website at www.deaconrudysnotes.org. I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal. Join me again next weekend as we break open the Word. Peace!

Image: Trinity symbol. Artist unknown. JPG.

Notes:
<1> Michael Himes, Chapter One Trinity. Kindle.
<2> Ibid.

Bibliography/Suggested Readings:
1. Hahn, Scott W. and Curtis Mitch. Romans. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2017. Kindle.
2. Himes, Michael. The Mystery of Faith: An Introduction to Catholicism. Cincinnati: St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2004. Kindle.
3. Mitch, Curtis and Edward Sri. The Gospel of Matthew. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2010. Kindle.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. The mystery of the Trinity: 202, 232-60, 684, 732
2. The Trinity in the Church and her liturgy: 249, 813, 950, 1077-1109, 2845
3. Grace of divine sonship: 257, 1996-97
4. Divine sonship in the Old Testament: 441
5. The Church as missionary: 767-68, 849-56
6. Gifts and fruits of the Spirit: 1830-32
7. The family as an image of the Trinity: 2205
8. The Trinity and prayer: 2655, 2664
9. Prayer to God as Father: 2777-82

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/053021.cfm
Lectionary: 165

Reading 1
Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40
Moses said to the people: “Ask now of the days of old, before your time, ever since God created man upon the earth; ask from one end of the sky to the other: Did anything so great ever happen before? Was it ever heard of? Did a people ever hear the voice of God speaking from the midst of fire, as you did, and live? Or did any god venture to go and take a nation for himself from the midst of another nation, by testings, by signs and wonders, by war, with strong hand and outstretched arm, and by great terrors, all of which the LORD, your God, did for you in Egypt before your very eyes? This is why you must now know, and fix in your heart, that the LORD is God in the heavens above and on earth below, and that there is no other. You must keep his statutes and commandments that I enjoin on you today, that you and your children after you may prosper, and that you may have long life on the land which the LORD, your God, is giving you forever.”

Responsorial
Psalm 33:4-5, 6, 9, 18-19, 20, 22
R. (12b) Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
Upright is the word of the LORD, and all his works are trustworthy. He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the Lord the earth is full.
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
By the word of the LORD the heavens were made; by the breath of his mouth all their host. For he spoke, and it was made; he commanded, and it stood forth.
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him, upon those who hope for his kindness, To deliver them from death and preserve them in spite of famine.
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
Our soul waits for the LORD, who is our help and our shield. May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us who have put our hope in you.
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

Reading 2
Romans 8:14-17
Brothers and sisters: For those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a Spirit of adoption, through whom we cry, “Abba, Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

Alleluia
Revelation 1:8
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; to God who is, who was, and who is to come.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Matthew 28:16-20
The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they all saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

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Pentecost

picture of lit candles

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Mass Readings During the Day

Reading 1: Acts 2:1-11
Responsorial: Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-31, 34
Reading 2: 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13 OR Galatians 5:16-25
Gospel: John 20:19-23 OR John 15:26-27 OR John 16:12-15

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/052321-Day.cfm https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Happy Pentecost! Happy birthday to the Church! Happy birthday to the Church! Happy birthday, dear Church! Happy birthday to the Church!

Welcome back for another edition of deacon rudy’s notes! I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal, and together we’re going to break open the Word! Our reflection for this weekend is on the readings for Pentecost, the Mass during the day.

I hope you have a piece of birthday cake or raise a glass to celebrate the Church’s birthday!

On this great feast of Pentecost, we remember the descent of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said several times in John’s Gospel account that we would not be left alone after he departs. The Advocate will come and dwell among us and guide us on our journey. And our first reading this weekend from Acts describes the extraordinary event when the Spirit arrived. There was “a noise like a strong driving wind” (Acts 2:2) and tongues of fire which “came to rest on each of them” (Acts 2:3).

Why? There was just no way for Jesus to do a complete download, so God sent “the Spirit of truth” (John 15:26). And the Spirit comes bearing gifts. These gifts enabled the apostles and the first disciples to testify to Jesus because they were with Jesus from the beginning (John 15:27).

Now there’s a lot of good news in these readings!

We are not alone! The Spirit is here with us!

And, the sacraments – wow! – the sacraments are not some magical instruments that BAM unlock everything we need to know to be near-perfect images of Jesus. No! Our coming to faith is a process. It’s like receiving a beautifully wrapped gift. You might be hesitant even to open it because you don’t want to ruin the beautiful wrapping. Maybe you carefully unwrap it and slowly open the box. But what you find doesn’t strike your fancy, so you set the box in your closet where it might sit and gather dust for years and years.

My brothers and sisters, each and every one of us received an incalculable amount of graces at our baptism and confirmation. We might not understand them, so we might not use them to build up God’s kingdom. But once we decide to go down the path of discipleship – once we commit or recommit ourselves to growing in our relationship with the Trinity, well, it’s like we took the present out of our closet, dusted it off, opened it, and carefully began to pull out the gifts within.

In our second reading, and I’m using the option from 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13, Paul gives us that beautiful image that there is one body of Christ. Each of us makes up a part of the whole.

What does that mean?

It means that there is no one quite like you in church. And we need you. Without you, our community isn’t quite the same. Whether you are rich or poor, gainfully employed or homeless, a citizen or an immigrant doesn’t matter. You are important to God, and your presence in the community enriches our shared experience of Jesus Christ. Yes, we could limp along without you. But there is something about you that can help all of us.

In my experience, people are hesitant to understand their gifts, and they are hesitant for others to know their gifts because they don’t want to be a leader, or they might be afraid to fail. And if you’re the only one who steps forward, then I can certainly understand your hesitancy. It’s when we all work together – everyone carrying their fair share – that we, by our faith, can move mountains.

Maybe in our community, there is someone gifted with entrepreneurialism. They not only have leadership qualities, but they are an immensely talented cheerleader. They can rouse the Spirit within!

What gifts do I have to support that person and the ministry?

Maybe I’m gifted with organizational skills. So, I can offer to help behind the scenes keeping things organized.

Maybe I’m a gifted trainer and writer. Perhaps I can help create ministry training manuals and educational material.

Maybe I’m a gifted marketeer. Can I use my skills to help promote the ministry?

Maybe I’m a gifted bookkeeper. I can use my skills to steward the accounts.

Maybe I’m gifted with financial resources. Could I offer to help finance the ministry?

When we come together, each using their gifts, what hope we can bring to people in these uncertain times.

Homework! Stoked by the Word and the Eucharist in the Pentecostal flame, I invite you to reflect on the following two questions. We all have different gifts, and our gifts may manifest at different stages in our lives.
First, at this stage in my life, what gifts do I notice, and how can I use them to help my faith community?
Second, how can I help others identify and utilize their gifts?

Doing our homework might help us serve the body of Christ as disciples. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

You’re listening to deacon rudy’s notes. Thank you for joining me today. Our theme music was composed by Silent Partner. You can find all sorts of helpful information on the website at www.deaconrudysnotes.org. I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal. Join me again next weekend as we break open the Word. Peace!

Image: Flames: iStock/Getty Images Plus/Baiterek Media. JPG.

Bibliography/Suggested Readings:
1. Kurz, William S. SJ. Acts of the Apostles. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2013. Kindle.
2. Martin, Francis and William M. Wright IV. The Gospel of John. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2015. Kindle.
3. Montague, George T. SM. First Corinthians. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2011. Kindle.
4. Vanhoye, Cardinal Albert and Peter. S. Williamson. Galatians. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2019. Kindle.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. Trinity: 221, 687
2. The Spirit reveals the Father and the Son: 243-48
3. The Spirit’s mission: 258, 729, 737
4. Apostolic witness on Pentecost: 599, 597, 674, 715
5. The risen Jesus: 641-46
6. Fire as a symbol of the Holy Spirit: 696
7. Pentecost: 696, 726, 731-41, 830, 1076, 1287, 2623
8. Guidance and transformation by the Spirit: 736, 1695, 1832, 2744
9. The Holy Spirit and the Church: 737-41
10. The Church, communion in the Spirit: 767, 775, 798, 796, 813, 1097, 1108-9
11. Union in the body of Christ: 789-91
12. Discerning charisms: 801
13. Communion of charisms: 951
14. The mystery of Pentecost continues in the Church: 1152, 1226, 1302, 1556
15. Effects of Confirmation: 1302-5
16. The sacrament of reconciliation: 1461-67
17. Penance and conversion: 1470
18. The Spirit is the new law: 1966, 1983
19. Idolatry: 2113
20. The flesh is concupiscence: 2515

Pentecost Sunday
Mass during the Day https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/052321-Day.cfm
Lectionary: 63

Reading 1
Acts 2:1-11
When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem. At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, “Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans? Then how does each of us hear them in his native language? We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as travelers from Rome, both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.”

Responsorial
Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34
R. (cf. 30) Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. or: R. Alleluia.
Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD, my God, you are great indeed! How manifold are your works, O LORD! the earth is full of your creatures.
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. or: R. Alleluia.
May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD be glad in his works! Pleasing to him be my theme; I will be glad in the LORD.
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. or: R. Alleluia.
If you take away their breath, they perish and return to their dust. When you send forth your spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth.
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. or: R. Alleluia.

Reading 2
1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13
Brothers and sisters: No one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.

As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.

OR:

Galatians 5:16-25
Brothers and sisters, live by the Spirit and you will certainly not gratify the desire of the flesh. For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do what you want. But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: immorality, impurity, lust, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions, occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit.

Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Jonn 20:19-23
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”

OR:

John 15:26-27
Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.

“I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.”

OR

John 16:12-15
“I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.