Year 34 No. 63 Pentecost Sunday (B) — Red May 23, 2021 e often refer to the Holy Spirit event in the Catholic Church’s life in Was the “Paraclete,” from the THE SPIRIT this day and age is the Vatican Council Greek paraklētos (“called to be at II. What we know and experience of the side of”). The Spirit is also called GUIDES US Catholic life today stems from the the “Advocate,” from advocatus, the teachings of that Council. Reading Latin rendition of paraklētos. In the TO ALL TRUTH the 16 documents promulgated by Gospel, Jesus declares to the disciples Vatican II Council today feels like precisely this role of the Spirit: the by Fr. Gil Alinsangan, SSP they were produced with an air of Spirit will be their defender; he will serenity, with the Council Fathers guide them to “all truth” about Jesus. it in an obtrusive way; the believers following the blow of the Spirit. But Luke presents the coming of the have to undergo the normal, human in fact, some of the documents were Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost process at arriving at the resolution hotly debated and even contested. (“fiftieth”), fifty days after the Passover of issues that face them as believers. The Church’s most authoritative which marks Jesus’ passion, death, In the “Council of Jerusalem” the teaching is the product of people and resurrection. The Passover is apostles and elders listen to Peter, exercising their wisdom, freedom, actually the Jewish feast of the Shavuot to Barnabas and Paul, and to James, perspectives, personal opinions and which celebrates the giving of the Law and most probably also to some biases, until they can say, “It is the at Sinai, fifty days after the Pesach/ others, before deciding on issues decision of the Holy Spirit and of Passover that marks the departure of that concern the Jewish and Gentile us…” the Israelites from Egypt. The signs believers. They do not hear the Spirit There is no turning back to the of the descent of the Spirit—a strong actually speaking, but convinced of pre-Vatican II life for Catholics, driving wind, tongues as of fire— the guidance of the Spirit, they can although pockets of resistance still recall the great theophany in Sinai: affirm: “It is the decision of the Holy exist among those nostalgic of the the presence of God accompanied Spirit and of us not to place on you former age. Modern Popes, from Saint by fire, earthquake, and trumpet blast any burden beyond these necessities” Paul VI to Pope Francis, have pushed (Ex 19:16-19). (Acts 15:28). The Spirit guides gently, forward the application of Vatican II The divine presence is not always like a small voice, but full of power. teachings. Pointing to some divisions marked by nature’s “upheaval.” The This is the way the Spirit blows in the Church after the Vatican prophet Elijah felt God’s presence through the ages. In most important Council II, Pope Francis says that in a tiny, whispering sound by the events that touch the life and direction it is permissible to think differently cave in Mt. Horeb (1 Kgs 19:12). of the universal Church, the Spirit from one another, but always “in the Likewise, the Spirit manifests himself lets the People of God and their unity of the Church, under Jesus the in a gentle way, as a life-giving breath leaders undergo the normal process Shepherd.” Some ideas and positions that the risen Christ bestowed upon of prayer, discernment, dialogue, create divisions that break the unity the disciples in the evening of his debate, and even confrontation to of God’s people. The Pope warns resurrection (Jn 20:22). arrive at common decisions. Such is against those who think that their In the Acts of the Apostles, Luke the process that happens in synods ideas are more important than the relates events showing the Holy and ecumenical councils in the Holy Spirit who guides God’s people. Spirit guiding the early Christian Catholic Church. Vatican II is the work of the Holy community. The Spirit does not do Without doubt, the most important Spirit. PASTORAL CATECHESIS FOR THE YEAR OF MISSIO AD GENTES Missionary Commitment A definite sign of a vibrant local Church is its mission outreach. In mid-2000 Catholic Filipino missionaries numbered 1,329 in the Third Millennium women and 206 men from 69 religious congregations serving in Fr. James H. Kroeger, MM some 80 countries. The bishops established the Mission Society of the Philippines (1965). Maryknoll founded the Philippine The local Church in the Philippines, as noted earlier, Catholic Lay Mission (1977). sponsored the successful National Mission Congress in 2000 Cardinal Sin established the San Lorenzo Mission Institute as a programmatic “first step as a local Church into the Third (1987), whose goal is serving the Chinese; its patron is San Lorenzo Millennium.” This perspective continues the implementation Ruiz, the first Filipino saint, canonized on October 17, 1987. of the National Pastoral Plan that emerged from the 1991 Pedro Calungsod, beatified on March 5, 2000 and canonized Second Plenary Council of the Philippines: In the State of on October 21, 2012, inspired the successful National Mission Mission: Towards a Renewed Integral Evangelization. In Congress in 2000. Several lay movements successfully engage in a word, missionary evangelization describes the dynamic, mission outreach (e.g. Knights of Columbus, Couples for Christ, pastoral mission vision of the Philippine Church in its faith Gawad Kalinga, El Shaddai movement, Ligaya ng Panginoon, journey with the Filipino people. and many others). Mission is alive in the local Church! thanks for your great glory, to speak in different tongues, THE INTRODUCTORY RITES Lord God, heavenly King, O as the Spirit enabled them to Entrance Antiphon (Wis 1:7) God, almighty Father. Lord proclaim. (Recited when there is no opening song.) Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Now there were devout Jews Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, from every nation under heaven The Spirit of the Lord has filled Son of the Father, you take staying in Jerusalem. At this the whole world and that which away the sins of the world, sound, they gathered in a large contains all things understands have mercy on us; you take crowd, but they were confused what is said, alleluia. away the sins of the world, because each one heard them receive our prayer; you are speaking in his own language. Greeting seated at the right hand of They were astounded, and in (The sign of the cross is made here.) the Father, have mercy on us. amazement they asked, “Are For you alone are the Holy not all these people who are P — The Lord be with you. One, you alone are the Lord, speaking Galileans? Then All — And with your spirit. you alone are the Most High, how does each of us hear Jesus Christ, with the Holy them in his native language? Introduction Spirit, in the glory of God the We are Parthians, Medes, (These [or similar words] may be Father. Amen. and Elamites, inhabitants used to address the assembly.) of Mesopotamia, Judea and Collect Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, P — Pentecost marks a Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt P — Let us pray. (Pause) and the districts of Libya near fresh start for all of us. Jesus O God, who by the mystery announces the peace that Cyrene, as well as travelers of today’s great feast sanctify from Rome, both Jews and comes with his victory over your whole Church in every death. He gives us the Holy converts to Judaism, Cretans people and nation, pour out, and Arabs, yet we hear them Spirit with the power to forgive we pray, the gifts of the Holy and conquer sin. Like the speaking in our own tongues Spirit across the face of the of the mighty acts of God.” apostles, we are strengthened earth and, with the divine grace by the Spirit to face the that was at work when the — The word of the Lord. challenges of the world. The Gospel was first proclaimed, All — Thanks be to God. Holy Spirit showers us with fill now once more the hearts gifts. Let us use these for the of believers. Responsorial Psalm (Ps 104) building up of the Church, the Through our Lord Jesus Body of Christ. Christ, your Son, who lives and R — Lord, send out your reigns with you in the unity of Spirit, and renew the face of Penitential Act the Holy Spirit, God, for ever the earth. and ever. A. Tuazon P — Brethren (brothers and All — Amen. Gm F sisters), let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to Liturgy of the word Lord, send out your Spi celebrate the sacred mysteries. (Pause) First Reading (Acts 2:1–11) (Sit) 2 B♭ E♭ F P — You were sent to heal the Luke describes the descent of the contrite of heart: Holy Spirit in tongues as of fire rit and re new the face All — Lord, have mercy. which rest on the apostles and fill them with courage to proclaim Gm P — You came to call sinners: 4 All — Christ, have mercy. the Good News of Jesus. Pentecost marks the birth of the Church, of the earth. P — You are seated at the right the new people of God. hand of the FAther to intercede 1. Bless the LORD, O my soul!/ for us: A reading from the Acts of the O LORD, my God, you are great All — Lord, have mercy. Apostles indeed!/ How manifold are P — May almighty God have WHEN THE TIME for Pentecost your works, O LORD!/ The earth mercy on us, forgive us our sins, was fulfilled, they were all is full of your creatures.