Trinity – Page 2 – deacon rudy's notes

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Pentecost Mass During the Day Readings

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

http://cms.usccb.org/bible/readings/053120-day.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Happy Birthday, church! This great celebration of Pentecost is in fact the birthday of the Church, so be sure to mark this birthday in some special way today. We’ve been hearing in the Scriptures these past several weeks about the coming of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is here already among Christ’s disciples. We received the power of the Holy Spirit at Baptism which is confirmed on us at Confirmation.

The Spirit comes bearing gifts, as we hear in the second reading from First Corinthians. Now, these are no ordinary gifts. These gifts are manifestations of the life of Trinity (Montague, Loc 4664). These gifts are given to all disciples for the good of the entire community, (Montague, Loc 4578). Why? What’s the purpose of these gifts? These gifts help build up the church in faith, hope, and love, (Montague, Loc 4605). All other virtues flow from faith, hope and love.

Now this is so important for us as the world begins to emerge from isolation. You would think things would start returning to normal. But unfortunately, in some places, people bristle at public health suggestions designed to reduce the likelihood of new hot spots. There is really a stunning amount of disagreement. Tempted as we might, we are called as disciples to help – to help other Christians cope and to reach out to others who are confused, scared, feeling alone or agitated and even those who seem to care less how their actions affect those around them. All disciples are sent out into the world!

But what can we do? What are we supposed to do?

The gifts of the Holy Spirit, wisdom, knowledge, counsel, fortitude, understanding, piety and looking on God with awe and wonder, are available to all disciples – indeed they are given to all disciples. Paul affirms that and tells us we only need ask for them. Jesus also told us this long before his Ascension. Luke’s Gospel records Jesus saying, “If you…know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” (Luke 11:13).

That we have gifts and that gifts are available to us is not in question. How then do we know which gifts we have or which gifts others have? Well, one of the ways we do that is through a prayerful process we call discernment. Now this is something we hear Pope Francis speak about frequently. There are so many excellent resources out there to help us discern, but here’s the reader’s digest version.

First, have courage. Too many people talk about discernment, but few actually do it. Second, prayerfully consider what ever it is you’re trying to discern. Third, recognize that the Spirit may speak to you through others around you. That is to say, your own friends and family speaking through the gift of good counsel may give you insight into your question. Fourth, get more data. Sometimes you may not have enough information to discern, so you need to collect more data. Maybe that means going on retreat – even a virtual retreat. Or maybe it means taking a class or reading a particular book. Whatever it is, it’s very likely that deep down you know what you should do to collect more data. And that leads me to the final step in the process – do something! Take action! You will never know what gifts you have until you actually try to figure it out.

This time of COVID-19 has been an excellent opportunity for some people’s gifts to manifest. Remember, that’s really what these gifts are all about – being put to the service of the community. I’ll give you an example. I can’t tell you how many times I notice on a social media someone who expresses fear. How can we help people like that even if we’re going to continue social distancing for a while because perhaps you are in a highly susceptible category?

Here’s a great example. A friend of mine from the UK who lives in Switzerland started an online rosary which was prayed twice a week while the churches here were closed. There are people on this call from the UK and Switzerland and all those people are from a variety of countries. So, it’s quite an international collection of people. Bringing everyone together to pray the rosary was not only pious worship of God when we couldn’t get to mass, but it brought an incredible sense of peace during a most unsettling time in all of our lives.

You might think to yourself, “hang on…that’s not a big demonstration of spiritual gifts,” and perhaps you’re right. But God isn’t asking most of us to part the Red Sea. We can exercise our gifts in quite ordinary ways, but the impact could be huge. We may never know the impact we have on others – only God knows. But one thing is clear. Using our gifts for the Kingdom in the ordinary moments of our lives is like throwing a small stone in a still pond. The water ripples and moves and we can’t possibly account for how the water will affect everything it comes into contact with – or even how it will affect us as the ripples echo back from the shore.

No exercise of our gifts can be too small! So, my brothers and sisters, have courage! Don’t be afraid to discover and exercise your gifts. You never know how calming your faith and your gifts might be to someone you know.

Homework! Nourished by the Word of God and the Eucharist, I encourage you to reflect on the following questions.

Peace be with you. How have I experienced Christ’s peace? How can I share this peace with my family, my co-workers, with the world?
As the Father has sent me, so I send you. How did I discern/am I discerning my vocation? How can I support others in their discernment?
Receive the Holy Spirit. What gifts have I received from the Holy Spirit? How can I place these gifts at the service of the community?

I think doing our homework will help us as disciples to go out and serve all those we encounter. One quick announcement before we part company: this Wednesday is the first Wednesday of the month which means another installment of All Things Catholic! As churches slowly begin to reopen, there are people out there wondering why it’s important to go back to church. Why can’t we just watch church on TV and avoid the crowded parking lots? That’s the topic for this Wednesday for All Things Catholic: why do we need to go to church? Alright, do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

Image Credit: Villarreal, Rudy. “Pentecost,” (personal photograph of the descent of the Holy Spirit chapel, Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, Lourdes, France). 2020. JPEG file.

References:
1. Kurz, William S. Acts of the Apostles. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2013.
2. Lectio Divina Of The Gospels. Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2019.
3. Martin, Francis and William M. Wright IV. The Gospel of John. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2015.
4. Montague, George T., SM. First Corinthians. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2011.
5. Pope Paul VI. Evangelii Nuntiandi. Vatican.va. December 8, 1975. Accessed May 30, 2020, http://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_p-vi_exh_19751208_evangelii-nuntiandi.html.
6. The Bible: A Study Bible freshly translated by Nicholas King. Buxhall, Suffolk UK: Kevin Mayhew, 2013.

Catechism References: Easily search the Catechism at http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm
1. Discerning revelations, 67
2. Apostolic witness on Pentecost, 599, 597, 674, 715
3. The risen Jesus, 614-46
4. Fire as a symbol of the Holy Spirit, 696
5. Pentecost, 696, 726, 731-41, 830, 1076, 1287, 2623
6. The Holy Spirit and the Church, 737-41
7. The Church, communion in the Spirit, 767, 775, 798, 796, 813, 1097, 1108-09
8. Union in the body of Christ, 789-91
9. Discerning +charisms, 801
10. Communion of +charisms, 951
11. The Mystery of Pentecost continues in the Church, 1152, 1226, 1302, 1556
12. Sacrament of Reconciliation, 1461-67,
13. Theological virtues, 1812-13

Pentecost
Mass during the Day: http://cms.usccb.org/bible/readings/053120-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 21 COR 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.

Sequence
Veni, Sancte Spiritus
Come, Holy Spirit, come!
And from your celestial home
Shed a ray of light divine!
Come, Father of the poor!
Come, source of all our store!
Come, within our bosoms shine.
You, of comforters the best;
You, the soul’s most welcome guest;
Sweet refreshment here below;
In our labor, rest most sweet;
Grateful coolness in the heat;
Solace in the midst of woe.
O most blessed Light divine,
Shine within these hearts of yours,
And our inmost being fill!
Where you are not, we have naught,
Nothing good in deed or thought,
Nothing free from taint of ill.
Heal our wounds, our strength renew;
On our dryness pour your dew;
Wash the stains of guilt away:
Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
Guide the steps that go astray.
On the faithful, who adore
And confess you, evermore
In your sevenfold gift descend;
Give them virtue’s sure reward;
Give them your salvation, Lord;
Give them joys that never end. Amen.
Alleluia.

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
John 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.”

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Mass Readings

First Reading: Proverbs 8:22-31
Psalm: Psalm 8:4-9 4
Second Reading: Romans 5:1-5
Gospel: John 16:12-15

Today we celebrate the solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. What is the Trinity? Admittedly, this is one of the most difficult teachings in the Christian tradition. Too easily, we try to say that we believe in one God in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. But that misses the point, I think. You see, the entire creed that we recite in mass every Sunday describes our beliefs in terms of the doctrine of the Trinity.

We believe in one God, the Father who…and then we profess faith in the doctrines of creation and providence, and in the Son who…and we state our belief in the doctrines of the incarnation, redemption and resurrection, and in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life, who…followed by the doctrines of Scripture, tradition, the church and eschatology. Indeed, as the theologian Michael Himes points out, our whole creed is a statement of belief in the Trinity. <1>

And what is the Trinity, then? In the First Letter of John, chapter four in verses eight and again in sixteen, we read that “God is love.” Now in the Greek, the word used is Agape. Agape is completely centered on the one loved. We often describe this, especially in the context of Christian marriage, as total self-gift. In fact, the First Letter of John claims that God is least wrongly thought of as a relationship of self-gift among persons.

When we hear in Matthew’s Gospel, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them,” (Matthew 18:20), that doesn’t mean that when we think about him, Jesus will be with them. What we mean is that in the context of agape, Jesus will be discovered in what happens whenever people come together in true mutual love.

But this particular love, agape, is so completely different from any other type of love, which is why we take such care in Christian marriage of establishing clear boundaries in our relationships to help protect the sacredness of Christian marriage – to prevent it being reduced in a way that can be easily dismissed.

You see, this love – this total self-gift is the Trinity itself. The Father totally gives Himself to the Son, no strings attached. The Son unconditionally receives this love and totally returns it to the Father, no strings attached. Through this constant action of total self-gift, total reception, total self-gift, total reception, the Holy Spirit emerges. That’s why in the Creed, we say the Holy Spirit, who proceeds from the Father and the Son.

Christian marriage, then, is a good way to describe Trinity. There is no personal relationship outside of marriage that should in any way be compared to marriage itself because there is no personal relationship outside of marriage that can be an example of total self-gift and total reception.

Christian marriage is one way that Trinitarian love is shared with the world around and enables people who experience that love to experience God in a real and personal way. Christian marriage is an example of total surrender to the will of the Father and participating in the act of total self-gift. Those who are touched by the Trinitarian love flowing from Christian marriages in turn can share that love with those around them – either through the specific service of vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life, or through other acts of love and service for the people around us. And when we share that Trinitarian love we experience flowing from Christian marriages with others, because we are all image and likeness of God, we are in fact sharing love with the Lord.

Isn’t it interesting that in Matthews Gospel, we find the most extraordinary statement of love in the whole Christian tradition? In the Judgment of the Nations, (25:31-46), which I content describes the metrics for the judgment we will face, the criterion of judgment is not any sort of religious act. Rather, the one criterion is: Did you love your brothers and sisters? To love the least of our brothers and sisters is to love the Lord, whether we know it or not. This make sense doesn’t it? Afterall, God is love.

Homework: