THE SPIRIT GIVES BIRTH TO THE CHURCH
OPENING PRAYER (WELCOME GOD INTO OUR STUDY)
Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and kindle in them the fire of Thy love. Let us pray. O God, who didst teach the hearts of Thy faithful people by sending them the light of Thy Holy Spirit, grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in His holy comfort. Through Christ our Lord. Amen
CATECHESIS (STUDY THE FAITH)
REFERENCES FROM CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC CHURCH 2ND EDITION
CCC 731 – 736 Pentecost: The Church is sent
CCC 737 – 747 The Holy Spirit builds, animates, and sanctifies the Church
The feast day of Pentecost is the event in Scripture that is most associated with the Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament, Pentecost was an ancient Jewish festival celebrated 50 days after the feast of Passover, originally called Feast of Weeks whereby the first fruits of the corn harvest were offered to the Lord. Deuteronomy 16:9
In the New Testament book of Acts, we read, “When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together, then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them.” After the descent of the Holy Spirit His disciples were filled with courage and faith. Acts 2:1-3
Jesus pours out His Spirit upon the Apostles and upon us, His body, His Church on Pentecost. After the descent of the Holy Spirit His disciples were filled with courage and faith. these early Christians brought the Holy Spirit into the world in their preaching, their healing, casting out demons, raising the dead, and the forgiveness of sins.
The Holy Spirit enlightens our minds to know Christ more deeply and to love him more dearly. God’s love is poured out upon us through the Holy Spirit who is sent by the Father at the request of the Son.
SPIRIT OF TRUTH ENLIGHTEN US!
The Holy Spirit gives the Body of Christ, the Church, fortitude to bear witness to the truth in a world that hates us, rejects us and ridicules us for the truth we bear. The Holy Spirit prepares us, inspires us, and encourages us to draw closer to Christ, to answer the universal call to holiness, we received at our Baptism.
The Holy Spirit never ceases to come to us in our daily prayer, in the Sacrament of Baptism, in the Sacrament of Confirmation, in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and at our Anointing for our journey home…
The Holy Spirit intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words.
John 14:26
CLOSING PRAYER (PRAY THE FAITH)
When we do not know how to pray or what to pray, let us pray and ask the Spirit to pray for us and within us.
Spirit of Truth, you preserve the Church today from error. You are truly the Life of the Church. May you also be the Life in our Souls.
In Jesus’ name we pray
LIFE APPLICATION (LIVE THE FAITH)
1. The Holy Spirit convicts and consoles. Please explain.
2. When the Sprit is active in a person, there is a greater willingness to share faith. How do I share my faith in Christ outside my “domestic church” (home.)
3. Are there obstacles in me to sharing my faith with others? What are they? What can I do to overcome these obstacles so that I may be an effective witness to Christ?