Reading 1 Jas 3:13-18
Who among you is wise and understanding?
Let him show his works by a good life
in the humility that comes from wisdom.
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts,
do not boast and be false to the truth.
Wisdom of this kind does not come down from above
but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist,
there is disorder and every foul practice.
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure,
then peaceable, gentle, compliant,
full of mercy and good fruits,
without inconstancy or insincerity.
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace
for those who cultivate peace.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 15
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
The command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
The ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart
find favor before you,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
Alleluia See 2 Tm 1:10
Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death
and brought life to light through the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Mk 9:14-29
As Jesus came down from the mountain with Peter, James, Johnand approached the other disciples,
they saw a large crowd around them and scribes arguing with them.
Immediately on seeing him,
the whole crowd was utterly amazed.
They ran up to him and greeted him.
He asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?”
Someone from the crowd answered him,
“Teacher, I have brought to you my son possessed by a mute spirit.
Wherever it seizes him, it throws him down;
he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid.
I asked your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable to do so.”
He said to them in reply,
“O faithless generation, how long will I be with you?
How long will I endure you? Bring him to me.”
They brought the boy to him.
And when he saw him,
the spirit immediately threw the boy into convulsions.
As he fell to the ground, he began to roll around
and foam at the mouth.
Then he questioned his father,
“How long has this been happening to him?”
He replied, “Since childhood.
It has often thrown him into fire and into water to kill him.
But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”
Jesus said to him,
“‘If you can!’ Everything is possible to one who has faith.”
Then the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe, help my unbelief!”
Jesus, on seeing a crowd rapidly gathering,
rebuked the unclean spirit and said to it,
“Mute and deaf spirit, I command you:
come out of him and never enter him again!”
Shouting and throwing the boy into convulsions, it came out.
He became like a corpse, which caused many to say, “He is dead!”
But Jesus took him by the hand, raised him, and he stood up.
When he entered the house, his disciples asked him in private,
“Why could we not drive the spirit out?”
He said to them, “This kind can only come out through prayer.”
THE PENTECOSTAL CYCLE
"Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive men's sins, they are forgiven them." –John 20:22-23
Come, Holy Spirit! Happy Pentecost! Happy birthday to the Church! Alleluia!
Before receiving the Holy Spirit, we must repent of sin (Acts 2:38). After receiving the Spirit, we are to proclaim to the nations repentance and the forgiveness of sins (Lk 24:47). After Jesus gave the Holy Spirit to the leaders of the Church, He commanded: "If you forgive men's sins, they are forgiven them; if you hold them bound, they are held bound" (Jn 20:22-23). In summary, before receiving the Spirit, we must begin to remove the planks of sin from our lives (Mt 7:5). After receiving the Spirit, we must then remove the specks of sin from others' eyes (Mt 7:5).
When we first repent ourselves and then try to remove others' sins by warning them (see Ez 3:18; 33:8) and praying for them (1 Jn 5:16), we realize even more our need for greater repentance. This greater repentance opens us to receive the Holy Spirit in greater ways. Then we again join with the Spirit in convicting the world of sin (Jn 16:8) and helping others even more to accept God's grace and be freed from sin. As we see others convicted of sin, we become convicted ourselves. We repent more and receive the Spirit more deeply. Thus we have a cycle which results in ever greater life in the Spirit. By obeying Matthew 7:5, we can have a continuing, ever-increasing Pentecost. Come, Holy Spirit!
| PRAYER: | Father, thank You for the privilege of repenting and leading others to do the same. Come, Holy Spirit! |
| PROMISE: | "Tongues as of fire appeared, which parted and came to rest on each of them. All were filled with the Holy Spirit." –Acts 2:3-4 |
| PRAISE: | Praise You, Lord, for sending the Spirit to instruct us in all things (Jn 14:26). Alleluia! |
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