From Resurrection to Mission: The Church Comes Alive
The Gospel tells us about the first Pentecost.
The Homily begins by emphasizing “what a difference 50 days makes.” It reflects on the transformation between Easter Sunday and Pentecost.
This Homily begins with the quiet, unseen resurrection of Jesus and contrasts it with the public, explosive outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. Through biblical imagery and theological reflection, the Homily further draws connections between God’s creative act in Genesis, the Incarnation, the Resurrection, and the Church’s birth at Pentecost.
The Birth of the Church
The audio highlights how fearful disciples were emboldened by the Spirit to proclaim Christ’s resurrection and how the same Spirit continues to empower the Church today . . . in the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, and in every believer.
The homily concludes with a call to action, reminding the faithful that, like the early disciples, we also are sent forth to be Christ’s witnesses to the world, transformed by the Spirit and participating in God’s ongoing mission of salvation.
Listen to:
From Resurrection to Mission: The Church Comes Alive
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A Quote from the Homily
They step out of that same door to face thousands who have gathered around where they were. What a remarkable moment that is, that contrast. They were afraid to meet even one person 50 days ago. Thousands have been drawn by the shaking of the ground. By the sound of that wind and the commotion around that building, and so they step out and the world that frightened them is waiting at their door.
They didn’t bring the world there. God did. And note how God called them, how God called the world. He did something to his people. That coming of the spirit on the early church on the infant church was such a mighty thing. It drew the attention of a disbelieving world and that world stunned by what is happening, had to see, had to know, had to hear.
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Pentecost : Italian Artist: Duccio di Buoninsegna: 1308
The artist is commonly known as just Duccio.
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Gospel Reading: John 20: 19-23
First Reading: Acts 2: 1-11
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12: 3-7, 12-13
