Holy Spirit

by

Sunday, 8 June 2025 : Solemnity of Pentecost Sunday (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Red

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, this Sunday marks the very last day of this joyful and glorious Easter season, the fiftieth day since Easter Sunday, when we mark the Day of Our Lord’s glorious Resurrection from the dead. This Sunday is the Pentecost Sunday, with the word Pentecost meaning ‘fifty’ dating from the ancient Jewish and Israelite tradition of celebrating the Festival of the Pentecost, fifty days after the Passover. And since Easter is truly the New, Christian and Eternal Passover which the Lord Jesus, Our Lord, God and Saviour had sealed and made with all of us, therefore, this Pentecost is the celebration of the renewed Pentecost of the ancient past. This is why we celebrate this fiftieth day of Easter marking the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Church as a very significant event.

On this Sunday’s celebration, we remember the moment when the Lord’s promised Advocate or Helper, the Holy Third of the Holy Trinity, the Holy Spirit, came down upon the Apostles and the disciples of the Lord, marking the moment when the Church was revealed to the whole world. This day of the Pentecost was often mistaken as the ‘birthday of the Church’ as it is understandable that many would have seen it that way. After all, it was the moment when the Church was manifested and became real to the world, as the Apostles and the other disciples, traditionally numbering a hundred and twenty of them all according to Apostolic traditions, went forth from their hiding place to go public and courageously proclaiming the Good News of God, gaining three thousand converts that day, and hence laying the foundation for the visible Body of Christ, the Church.

However, the true birthday of the Church actually happened on the Good Friday according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, as the Church of God came forth from the side of the Lord, His pierced side that gave the outpoured Precious Blood and water, coming forth into this world after He has proclaimed it before the disciples, the Church of God, the Body that the Lord Himself has broken and shared with us all, so that by His gift of His Most Precious Body and Blood, all of us become sharers and partakers in the same Eucharist, the Real Presence of Our Lord, and thus becoming united as one Body of Christian believers, and hence, the Church of God. Nevertheless, this does not mean that what happened at Pentecost was less important in any way, as up to the Descent of the Holy Spirit, the Church was hidden from the world, hiding in fear and uncertainty.

In our first reading this Sunday, we heard of the account of what had happened at the moment of that Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles and disciples, strengthening and rejuvenating them all with hope and great courage, overcoming all their doubts, fears and all the things that had kept them in hiding from all those who sought to persecute and oppress them with threats and harm. They went forth joyfully in carrying out everything that the Lord had commanded them all to do, to proclaim Him and His Good News to all the people of all the nations. The Lord has reassured them of the Holy Spirit that He would send to them to remind them of everything that He had taught them and to strengthen them in their labours, and that was exactly what He had done for them.

Through the Holy Spirit, God had strengthened the hearts of the disciples, and gave them the wisdom and knowledge of languages and tongues, through which they had proclaimed courageously the Good News and truth of God to all those people who were assembled in Jerusalem at that time for the Festival of the Pentecost. It was symbolic reversal of what had happened in the past with the Tower of Babel, which if we recalled was the moment when God confused the language of mankind when they all came in pride and arrogance in trying to become like God themselves. Through the Holy Spirit, God brought back the unity that was lost to us mankind, gathering us all from the nations, regardless of our languages, races and origins, all called to become the same children and holy people of God.

Then, from our second reading, taken from the Epistle to the Romans, St. Paul the Apostle spoke to the faithful people of God in Rome referring to the Holy Spirit that has been given to all of the faithful, calling on all of them to holiness and to live their lives in accordance to the way of the Lord and the Holy Spirit. It is a reminder that all of us as Christians should also always strive to live in the manner that is worthy of the Lord, following His examples and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit at all times, keeping ourselves away from the wickedness of the world and from all the sins and darkness present all around us. By the Holy Spirit that we have received from the Lord, we should be encouraged and strengthened in our faith so that we can continue to persevere and be strong despite the challenges and trials that we may have to face and endure in life.

Therefore, brothers and sisters in Christ, as we have reflected well upon these words from the Sacred Scriptures and reminded of what the Lord Himself had told His disciples in our Gospel passage today that all of us should keep His commandments, the Law of God, which is love, loving God and loving one another, and referring to the Holy Spirit that we have all received through Baptism, and which is then further strengthened and confirmed with us with the Sacrament of Confirmation, therefore, let us all as Christians joyfully proclaim the Lord at all times, all of His goodness and graces, through our works and actions, through everything we do, our every interactions with one another, filled ever more wonderfully by the gifts of the Holy Spirit within us, so that we may truly bear rich fruits of the Holy Spirit.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful and enkindle in all of us the fire of Your love. Lord, send forth Your Holy Spirit upon us and this world, and renew the face of the earth. May all of us be the loving examples and inspirations to one another, the perfect manifestation of the Love of God and the works of the Holy Spirit in our world today, now and always. Amen.

by

Sunday, 8 June 2025 : Solemnity of Pentecost Sunday (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Red

John 14 : 15-16, 23b-26

At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments; and I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper to be with you forever. If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word and My Father will love him; and We will come to him and make a room in his home.”

“But if anyone does not love Me, he will not keep My words; and these words that you hear are not Mine, but the Father’s Who sent Me. I told you all this while I was still with you. From now on the Helper, the Holy Spirit Whom the Father will send in My Name, will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I have told you.”

by

Sunday, 8 June 2025 : Solemnity of Pentecost Sunday (Second Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Red

Romans 8 : 8-17

So, those walking according to the flesh cannot please God. Yet your existence is not in the flesh, but in the spirit, because the Spirit of God is within you. If you did not have the Spirit of Christ, you would not belong to Him.

But Christ is within you; though the body is branded by death as a consequence of sin, the spirit is life and holiness. And if the Spirit of Him Who raised Jesus from the dead is within you, He Who raised Jesus Christ from among the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies. Yes, He will do it through His Spirit Who dwells within you.

Then, brothers, let us leave the flesh and no longer live according to it. If not, we will die. Rather, walking in the spirit, let us put to death the body’s deeds, so that we may live. All those who walk in the Spirit of God are sons and daughters of God.

Then, no more fear : you did not receive a spirit of slavery, but the spirit that makes you sons and daughters, and every time, we cry, “Abba! (this means Dad!) Father!” the Spirit assures our spirit, that we are sons and daughters of God. If we are children, we are heirs, too. Ours will be the inheritance of God, and we will share it with Christ; for, if we now suffer with Him, we will also share glory with Him.

by

Sunday, 8 June 2025 : Solemnity of Pentecost Sunday (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Red

Psalm 103 : 1 ab and 24ac, 29bc-30, 31 and 34

Bless the Lord, my soul! Clothed in majesty and splendour; How varied o Lord, are Your works! The earth full of Your creatures.

You take away their breath, they expire and return to dust. When You send forth Your Spirit, they are created, and the face of the earth is renewed.

May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in His works! May my song give Him pleasure, as the Lord gives me delight.

by

Sunday, 8 June 2025 : Solemnity of Pentecost Sunday (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Red

Acts 2 : 1-11

When the day of Pentecost came, the disciples of Jesus were all together in one place. And suddenly out of the sky came a sound like a strong rushing wind and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. There appeared tongues as if of fire which parted and came to rest upon each one of them. All were filled with Holy Spirit and began to speak other languages, as the Spirit enabled them to speak.

Staying in Jerusalem were religious Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd gathered, all excited because each heard them speaking in his own language. Full of amazement and wonder, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? How is it that we hear them in our own native language?”

“Here are Parthians, Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and foreigners who accept Jewish beliefs, Cretians and Arabians; and all of us hear them proclaiming in our own language what God, the Saviour, does.”

by

(Usus Antiquior) Pentecost Sunday (I Classis) – Sunday, 8 June 2025 : Offertory, Secret Prayer of the Priest, Preface, Communion and Post-Communion Prayer

Liturgical Colour : Red

Offertory

Psalm 67 : 29-30

Confirma hoc, Deus, quod operatus es in nobis : a templo Tuo, quod est in Jerusalem, Tibi offerent reges munera, Alleluja.

English translation

Confirm this, o God, which You have wrought in us, from Your Temple, which is in Jerusalem, kings shall offer presents to You, Alleluia.

Secret Prayer of the Priest

Munera, quaesumus, Domine, oblata sanctifica : et corda nostra Sancti Spiritus illustratione emunda. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate ejusdem Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

Sanctify, we beseech You, o Lord, the gifts offered, and cleanse our hearts with the light of the Holy Spirit. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the same Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

Preface of Pentecost

Vere dignum et justum est, aequum et salutare, nos Tibi semper et ubique gratias agere : Domine, Sancte Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus : per Christum, Dominum nostrum. Qui, ascendens super omnes caelos sedensque ad dexteram Tuam, promissum Spiritum Sanctum (hodierna die) in filios adoptionis effudit. Quapropter profusis gaudiis totus in orbe terrarum mundus exsultat. Sed et supernae Virtutes atque angelicae Potestates hymnum gloriae Tuae concinunt, sine fine dicentes :

English translation

It is truly meet and just, right and available to salvation, that we should always and in all places give thanks to You, o Holy Lord, Father Almighty, eternal God, through Christ our Lord, who ascending over all the heavens and sitting at Your right hand, had (this day) according to His word, send down the Holy Spirit upon the children of His adoption. Wherefore all peoples upon this earth rejoice with exceeding great joy, the heavenly virtues likewise and the angelic powers sing a hymn to Your glory and unceasingly repeat :

Communion

Acts 2 : 2, 4

Factus est repente da caelo sonus, tamquam advenientis Spiritus vehementis, ubi erant sedentes, Alleluja : et repleti sunt omnes Spiritu Sancto, loquentes magnalia Dei, Alleluja, Alleluja.

English translation

There came suddenly a sound from heaven as of a mighty wind coming, where they were sitting, Alleluia. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, speaking the wonderful works of God, Alleluia, Alleluia.

Post-Communion Prayer

Sancti Spiritus, Domine, corda nostra mundet infusio : et sui roris intima aspersione fecundet. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate ejusdem Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

May our hearts be cleansed, o Lord, by the inpouring of the Holy Spirit, may He render them fruitful by watering them with His heavenly dew. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the same Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

by

(Usus Antiquior) Pentecost Sunday (I Classis) – Sunday, 8 June 2025 : Holy Gospel

Liturgical Colour : Red

Sequentia Sancti Evangelii secundum Joannem – Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to St. John

John 14 : 23-31

In illo tempore : Dixit Jesus discipulis Suis : Si quis diligit Me, sermonem Meum servabit, et Pater Meus diliget eum, et ad eum veniemus et mansionem apud eum faciemus : qui non diligit Me, sermones Meos non servat. Et sermonem quem audistis, non est Meus : sed ejus, qui misit Me, Patris.

Haec locutus sum vobis, apud vos manens. Paraclitus autem Spiritus Sanctus, quem mittet Pater in Nomine Meo, ille vos docebit omnia et suggeret vobis omnia, quaecumque dixero vobis.

Pacem relinquo vobis, pacem Meam do vobis : non quomodo mundus dat, ego do vobis. Non turbetur cor vestrum neque formidet. Audistis, quia ego dixi vobis. Vado et venio ad vos. Si diligeritis Me, gauderitis utique, quia vado ad Patrem : quia Pater major Me est.

Et nunc dixi vobis, priusquam fiat : ut, cum factum fuerit, credatis. Jam non multa loquar vobiscum. Venit enim princeps mundi hujus, et in Me non habet quidquam. Sed ut cognoscat mundus, quia diligo Patrem, et sicut mandatum dedit mihi Pater, sic facio.

English translation

At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone lives Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him, and will make Our abode with him. He who does not love Me, does not keep My words, and the word which you have heard is not Mine, but the Father’s, He who sent Me.”

“These things I have spoken to you, abiding with you, but the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, He whom the Father will send in My Name, and He will teach you all things, and bring all things to your mind, whatsoever I have said to you.”

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you. Not as the world gives, I have given unto you. Let your heart not be troubled, nor let it be afraid. You have heard that I said to you, I go away, and I come unto you. If you loved Me, you would indeed be glad, because I go to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.”

“And now I have told you before it came to pass, that when it shall come to pass you may believe. I will not now speak many things with you; for the prince of this world comes, and in Me he does not have anything. But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father had given Me commandment, so do I.”

by

(Usus Antiquior) Pentecost Sunday (I Classis) – Sunday, 8 June 2025 : Alleluia

Liturgical Colour : Red

Psalm 103 : 30 and Tradition of the Faith

Alleluja, Alleluja.

Response : Emitte Spiritum Tuum, et creabuntur, et renovabis faciem terrae. Alleluja.

(Hic genuflectur)

Response : Veni, Sancte Spiritus, reple tuorum corda fidelium : et Tui amoris in eis ignem accende.

English translation

Alleluia, Alleluia.

Response : Send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth. Alleluia.

(Here all kneel)

Response : Come, o Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Your love.

by

(Usus Antiquior) Pentecost Sunday (I Classis) – Sunday, 8 June 2025 : Sequence

Liturgical Colour : Red

Veni, Sancte Spiritus, Et emitte caelitus, Lucis Tuae radium.

Veni, Pater pauperum, Veni, dator munerum, Veni, lumen cordium.

Consolator optime, Dulcis hospes animae, Dulce refrigerium.

In labore requies, In aestu temperies, In fletu solatium.

O Lux beatissima, Reple cordis intima, Tuorum fidelium.

Sine Tuo numine, Nihil est in homine, Nihil est innoxium.

Lava quod est sordidum, Riga quod est aridum, Sana quod est saucium.

Flecte quod est rigidum, Fove quod est frigidum, Rege quod est devium.

Da Tuis fidelibus, In Te confidentibus, Sacrum septenarium.

Da virtutis meritum, Da salutis exitum, Da perenne gaudium. Amen. Alleluja.

English translation

Come, Holy Spirit, and send forth from heaven the ray of Your light.

Come, Father of the poor. Come, Giver of gifts. Come, light of hearts.

You are the best consoler, sweet guest of the soul, sweet coolness.

In labour, rest. In heat, refreshment. In tears, solace.

O most blessed Light, may You fill the innermost recesses of the hearts of Your faithful!

Without Your divine assistance, there is nothing in man, nothing harmless.

Cleanse what is base, bedew what is parched, and heal what is wounded.

Bend what is rigid, warm what is chilled, guide what is astray.

Give to Your faithful confiding in You, Your sevenfold gifts.

Give them the reward of virtue, give them a happy death, give them eternal joy. Amen. Alleluia.

by

(Usus Antiquior) Pentecost Sunday (I Classis) – Sunday, 8 June 2025 : Epistle

Liturgical Colour : Red

Lectio Actuum Apostolorum – Lesson from the Acts of the Apostles

Acts 2 : 1-11

Cum complerentur dies Pentecostes, erant omnes discipuli pariter in eodem loco : et factus est repente de caelo sonus, tamquam advenientis Spiritus vehementis : et replevit totam domum, ubi erant sedentes. Et apparuerunt illis dispertitae linguae tamquam ignis, seditque supra singulos eorum : et repleti sunt omnes Spiritu Sancto, et caeperunt loqui variis linguis, prout Spiritus Sanctus dabat eloqui illis.

Erant autem in Jerusalem habitantes Judaei, viri religiosi ex omni natione, quae sub caelo est. Facta autem hac voce, convenit multitudo, et mente confusa est, quoniam audiebat unusquisque lingua sua illos loquentes. Stupebant autem omnes et mirabantur, dicentes : Nonne ecce omnes isti, qui loquuntur, Galilaei sunt? Et quomodo nos audivimus unusquisque linguam nostram, in qua nati sumus?

Parthi et Medi et Aelamitae et qui habitant Mesopotamiam, Judaeam et Cappadociam, Pontum et Asiam, Phrygiam et Pamphyliam, Aegyptum et partes Libyae, quae est circa Cyrenen, et advenae Romani, Judaei quoque et Proselyti, Cretes et Arabes : audivimus eos loquentes nostris linguis magnalia Dei.

English translation

When the days of Pentecost were accomplished, they were all together in one place; and suddenly there came a sound from Heaven, as of a mighty wind coming, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them parted tongues as if it were of fire, and it sat upon every one of them, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak with diverse tongues, according to the Holy Spirit who gave them to speak.

Now there were dwelling at Jerusalem, Jews, devout men of every nation under heaven. And when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded in mind, because that every man heard them speak in his own tongue, and they were all amazed, and wondered, saying, “Behold, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how have we heard every man in our own tongue wherein we were born?”

“Parthians and Medes, and Elamites, and the inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and the strangers of Rome, Jews and also Proselytes, Cretans and Arabians, we have heard them speak in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.”