Pentecost Sunday

Go Forward. Make Noise.

THERE CAME FROM THE SKY A NOISE LIKE A STRONG DRIVING WIND.

Come Holy Spirit Come. Fill us with your love. Overwhelm us with your joy. Drive out all our fears and doubts. Enflame our hearts with your passion. Come Holy Spirit Come.

Share a story of when you received good news that you just had to go out and share it.

Clif Bachmeier, part of the Maryknoll Young Adult Empowerment (YAE) Community, is committed to global solidarity and mission work. He’s drawn to Maryknoll’s focus on being a missionary disciple that stresses the importance of immersion, solidarity, and mission, both globally and locally. Clif had a profound experience on an immersion trip to El Salvador in 2018. There, he saw the effects of the civil war and learned about U.S. involvement. Also, in Honduras, he accompanied a Jesuit, meeting educators facing persecution for supporting public education. These experiences deepened Clif’s understanding of why Central Americans migrate. Clif encourages young adults to step out of their comfort zones. “You will develop new friendships and relationships and have a better knowledge and understanding of a new place, new people, new cultures,” he says. And even more, these experiences will allow “better insight into your own country, people, culture, and your own self.”

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.” Jn 20:19-23

At Pentecost, In the first reading, the Holy Spirit descends like fire and wind. In the Gospel Jesus’ peace is bestowed by his breath. Whether through the dramatic events or the quiet moments, God continues to send us the Holy Spirit to continue the mission of love. As a synodal church, we have to walk together and prepare ourselves to be receptive to the movements of the Spirit.

To what peripheries around you or the globe is the Spirit sending you today?

One of the key takeaways of the synod process is that all Christians must engage wherever they may find themselves. Spend time this week quietly listening to how the Holy Spirit is inspiring and empowering you to engage. Consider whether, like Clif, you are being called to participate in an immersion adventure or even joining a mission group like the The Maryknoll Lay Missionaries. Learn more about synodality from Fr. Joe Healey, MM.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love. Come Holy Spirit Come.