Gospel for May 23 2021 – John 20:19-23
Gospel Reflections for May 23 2021
Peace in the Holy Land
This area has been sadly filled with images of war and violence.
I have come to know the place well. Besides a lifetime of studying Our Lord, I have also led 16 annual archaeological trips there to explore both its ancient and current culture (see my article Latest Security Update).
While we are disappointed to see violence anywhere, we don’t like to see it in the Holy Land!
Pentecost reveals a Jerusalem event that also happened at a time of great unrest.
After Jesus ascends into Heaven, about 120 men and women disciples of Jesus are hiding in a room for fear of the turmoil outside. The people who killed Jesus are still out there and looking for them! Jesus had always been nearby, and now He was gone. How could they go on?
Then the Holy Spirit arrives as a powerful wind and fire. Look what happens next.
They burst out of hiding and head right for that hostile crowd! They boldly spoke to everyone with confidence and courage that completely changed the crowd from hostile …to conversion! They could not have done this on their own. It was the power of the Holy Spirit that led them right to the people who had earlier frightened them.
I sometimes hear people say, “How can I face an uncertain future?” Pentecost means that you can always go forward, no matter what has happened in the past. That is good news! The power you can receive from the Holy Spirit is just what you need …and is personally designed just for you.
The disciples never stopped their “bursting out” experience. For the rest of their lives, they boldly travelled everywhere to bring the person of Jesus to others. We are here today because of their efforts that began on that first Pentecost day, the “birthday” of the Church.
They converted people not to make the Church bigger and stronger, but because they knew this gift of Jesus is good for everyone, just as it was for them. Their motive was only love.
Christians are a very small minority in the Holy Land today. Perhaps things would be different now if they were more of them there. I would like to think so.
Nevertheless, you live here, so make a difference in your own family, neighborhood, school, or workplace today. Ask for the courage and confidence you need that comes from the Holy Spirit!
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Thank you Father Dave for your encouraging words……Joyous Pentecost to you and your loved ones!
Thank you!
Happy Pentecost Father. Praying the Holy Spirit changes minds in the Holy Land and brings peace to the region.
Yes, please always pray for peace in the Holy Land!
You’re right Fr. Dave – Pentecost is a great time to ask the Holy Spirit to help us spread the faith! Please help those of us that have had some of their adult children fall away from the Catholic faith. What’s the best thing we can do to help get them back?
Send them to Bishop Barron’s YouTube videos. He is the best at evangelizing young people.
A most precious Pentecost to you our Father Dave!!! The world would become soooooooooooooooooooooooo beautiful if we make a difference for our Jesus!!!! Let’s do it beautiful people!! Let’s transform the world with our Jesus LOVE!!!! Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee it and loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee you!!!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeee, Franca and Dick
Thank you!
It seems that the Holy Spirit is helping us to take a fresher and deeper look
on how to live our lives during the Pandemic, on line.
There are so many wonderful helps available. Homilies, Sunday Sermons, reflections
and videos on line. I find new insights there to reflect on.
“Come , Holy Spirit fill the hearts of your faithful”
Good point! There are so many good resources online now. Thank you for mentioning that.
This reflection hit me! Never imagined 120 followers, but why not. Only a testament to what Jesus accomplished, the powers he had..
Thanks yet again for giving me something to mull over.
From FL now….LP
You are very welcome. Those 120 men and women were the start of everything!
One of my favorite solemn feasts of our Faith and the boost needed each and every year to remind us of what the Holy Spirit is capable of. Good to see people in Church again though limited. We have survived the Disease and are getting back to normal. I pray the Middle East cools down and shows the Love of Christ to each other to build Bridges instead of Rockets.
Yes, the love of Christ is the answer in every place, and especially in the Holy Land.