PENTECOST SUNDAY - VIGIL MASS - Gospel (John 7:37-39) - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE
- NHA CHUA CHA
- Jun 8
- 5 min read
FIRST READING - Acts 2:1-11
A reading from the book of the Acts of the Apostles
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."
SECOND READING from the Letter to the Romans - 8:8-17
Brothers and sisters:
Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
But you are not in the flesh;
on the contrary, you are in the spirit,
if only the Spirit of God dwells in you.
Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
But if Christ is in you,
although the body is dead because of sin,
the spirit is alive because of righteousness.
If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you,
the one who raised Christ from the dead
will give life to your mortal bodies also,
through his Spirit that dwells in you.
Consequently, brothers and sisters,
we are not debtors to the flesh,
to live according to the flesh.
For if you live according to the flesh, you will die,
but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body,
you will live.
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.
GOSPEL OF THE DAY - 14:15-16, 23b-26
From the Gospel according to John
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 Advocate to be with you always.
"Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.
Those who do not love me do not keep my words;
yet the word you hear is not mine
but that of the Father who sent me.
"I have told you this while I am with you.
The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name,
will teach you everything
and remind you of all that I told you."
PENTECOST SUNDAY - VIGIL MASS - Gospel (John 7:37-39)
THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE
Dear People of God,
In the Word of God in Today’s Gospel: Jesus Reveals That the Holy Spirit is the Source of Human Life.
Before ascending to heaven, Jesus Christ promised to send the Holy Spirit—the Advocate—to mankind. But is it only after Jesus ascended to heaven that the Holy Spirit began working in people? No!
From the beginning of creation, the Holy Spirit has worked in the soul of every person. The Bible says that when God created man from the dust of the earth, He breathed life into him, and man became a living being with a soul and a body. Indeed, the Holy Spirit has always been active within humanity. However, during the period of creation, the Holy Spirit was not revealed as clearly as the Son of God, who came down to earth in human form.
The Holy Spirit is the Power, the Spirit, and the Life of humanity. All who seek eternal life must come to God, the source of life, who is the Holy Spirit. As Jesus said: “Let anyone who thirsts come to me and drink. As Scripture says: Rivers of living water will flow from within him who believes in me.”
When we speak of the Holy Spirit, we must also speak of the connection between the Holy Spirit, God the Father, and Jesus Christ—God incarnate—for the Holy Trinity is one, united in essence. God tells us that to receive the power of the Holy Spirit, we must listen to and obey the Father through Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit works in unity with the Father and the Son to give life to humanity.
From the time of creation, mankind received life through the breath of the Holy Spirit. And in the future, the Holy Spirit will raise the human body again, just as Scripture tells us in the vision of the “dry bones.”
When God spoke to Ezekiel about the dry bones rising, it was through the Spirit—the Holy Spirit—that the bodies of the dead would come to life. This vision points to the resurrection on the last day, when God comes again in glory. What is written in the Bible will certainly be fulfilled. That is why the Catholic faith firmly believes in eternal life after death, and in the resurrection of the body.
It is the Holy Spirit who enables people to unite with one another, to open their mouths in praise of God, and to speak His word. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we are able to do what God wills. Whoever listens to and lives by the words of Jesus Christ, and opens their heart to receive the Holy Spirit, will have authority and power over Satan, and will be raised on the last day—just as Jesus Christ was raised and now lives forever with God the Father.
As we prepare for the Feast of Pentecost, we remember how the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles. Today, too, the Holy Spirit descends on all who call upon His power and authority. On this vigil, God tells His people:
From the fullness of Jesus Christ flows the source of life.
The Spirit of the Holy Spirit will descend upon all who believe wholeheartedly in Jesus Christ as the One who died and rose again.
When God sends the Holy Spirit upon humanity, all who open their hearts will clearly receive His power and strength. They will feel the presence and action of the Holy Spirit within themselves. And when the Holy Spirit works in both their soul and body, no enemy will be able to snatch their soul from the hand of God the Father.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
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