PENTECOST RENEW 2000

We in the Catholic community end Easter time the way we began it, with a night time vigil. We keep watch where we meet God face to face, where we receive the life-giving Spirit. Our Paschal journey begun in ashes and is finished in fire.

Pentecost is the undoing of Babel. The disciples humbly waited for God, the blessing of divine name. From heaven the Spirit of God descended upon them. The punishment of Babel was overcome by the power of the Spirit. Language was not restored, rather people understood each other despite the diversity of language. The miracle of Pentecost was that diversity no longer divided people but they were prepared for the task that lay ahead - the making of disciples from all nations.

GUIDE FOR REFLECTION:

  1. Let us examine our prayer life. Do we act then pray, or do we pray before acting? In prayer, do we speak before listening, or listen before speaking?

  2. The miracle of Pentecost is that diversity no longer divide Christians. How can we work to overcome the divisions that still divide Christians today? Do we celebrate diversity or are we afraid of it?

RENEW PRAYER TO MARY

Mary, you are a woman wrapped in silence and yet the Word born of your yes continues to bring life to all creation. Mary help us to say yes – to be bearers of good news to a world waiting.

Mary, you are a virgin and a mother empowered by the Holy Spirit. Help us to open ourselves to that life-bringing spirit. Mary, help us to say our yes. Mary, you are a gift of Jesus to us, mother of the church.

Look upon our world and our lives. Pray for us to your Son that we might be renewed that we might help renew the face of the earth. Mary, help us to say yes. Amen,