Greeting: (See Second Reading)
In the one Spirit we were all baptized, and one Spirit was given to us all to drink. May the Holy Spirit be given to you and be always with you. R/ And also with you.
Introduction by the Celebrant
- The Breath of Fire
Who does not dream of a day to come when he or she will no longer be afraid to do the things so long postponed because the courage to do them was lacking? Who is not hoping for more enthusiasm to do the everyday tasks with joy, to take the risk of deeply loving God and people without conditions and without hesitation? Who does not wish to be much more inspired and dynamic and creative in life? Today is the day on which this can begin to happen, for today is Pentecost, the day of the Spirit, the day the stormwind renews our love, the day of the fire that brings us joy and freedom, the day of the Holy Spirit. May Jesus breathe his Spirit on us and make our hearts aflame with his light and life.
- Like A Storm
We are familiar with storms, cyclones, typhoons that shake houses and uproot trees. Today we celebrate another wind, at times like a tempest, but not destructive, other times like a gentle, refreshing breeze. It is the Spirit, the breath of God, the Holy Spirit that blows. Where does this come from? Where does he go and where does he lead us? It is the mighty Spirit of God, a storm of love and courage, a creative, renewing, “inspiring” Spirit who wants to make a new Pentecost with us. Let God's Holy Spirit bring fresh air to our hearts, refresh our faith, and increase our love in this Eucharist.
Penitential Act
We have not used the marvelous gifts which the Holy Spirit keeps offering us. Let us ask God to forgive us and to open us to the gifts of the Spirit. (pause)
Lord Jesus, breathe on us the Spirit who can make us understand one another and help us to appreciate and support one another: Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Jesus Christ, breathe on us the Spirit who can unite us in one love and make that love creative and inventive: Christ, have mercy. R/ Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, breathe on us your Spirit to liberate us from all paralyzing fears and to make us serve God and people with joy: Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
In your great kindness, Lord, forgive us all our sins, open us to the Spirit of life and love and lead us to everlasting life. R/ Amen.
Introduction to the Glory
Let the Spirit help us praise the Lord with conviction and joy.
Opening Prayer
Let us pray to the Father to send us the Holy Spirit as he gave him to the young Church (pause)
God our Father, let the Holy Spirit surprise us with fire and vigor, and make us young and new again as he did for the young Church. Let your Spirit renew our days, our loves and our lives, bring us tenderness and joy as well as openness to one another and the courage to stand up for all that is right and just. Let him unite us and lead us to you. All this we ask you through Christ Jesus our Lord. R/ Amen.
First Reading (Acts 2:1-11):
The Spirit Comes As A Mighty Storm
Loud noise, a mighty storm, fire, languages—these symbols used to describe the first Christian Pentecost tell us forcefully that something totally new is happening. God’s Spirit of power is breaking through to bring divided humanity together in a community where there is room for all.
Second Reading (1 Cor 12:3-7,12-13):
We Are One in the Spirit
Whatever good there is in us, whatever gifts God has given us, everything comes from the Spirit working in us. Beyond our different talents and tasks, the Spirit unites us in the body of Christ as one community of faith, hope and love.
Sequence
Gospel (Jn 20:19-23): Receive the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit completes the work of Jesus in us, and through us in the world. Like the apostles, we are told to leave our enclosures and to bring healing and peace to the world.
Intercessions
Let us pray to God to pour out on us and on the whole world the Spirit of courage and unity. Let us say:
R/ Let your Spirit renew the face of the earth.
1. On the churches spread all over the earth, on the communities with a thousand faces, on Christians scattered over the whole wide world, pour out your Spirit: R/ Let your Spirit renew the face of the earth.
2. On the Pope and the leaders of the Churches, on bishops and on pastors, on all who have a ministry of service, pour out your Spirit: R/ Let your Spirit renew the face of the earth..
3. On Christians persecuted for their faith, on those who doubt or waver, on all who seek God and wait for the Spirit, pour out your Spirit: R/ Let your Spirit renew the face of the earth..
4. On those who oppress their brothers and sisters, on those in positions of power, on those who are enslaved and on those who are free, pour out your Spirit: R/ Let your Spirit renew the face of the earth.
5. On those who spread the gospel, on those whose task it is to forgive sins, on those bound in the shackles of their faults, pour out your Spirit: R/ Let your Spirit renew the face of the earth.
6. On those who are gathered here in your name, on those who have left our communities, on those newly baptized these days, pour out your Spirit: R/ Let your Spirit renew the face of the earth.
For all these we pray you, Lord our God. Send your Spirit on each of us; let him put us afire with his love today and all our days, for ever. R/Amen.
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord our God, let your Spirit come down on this bread and wine and fill it with the life of Jesus, your Son. Let your Spirit come down on us who sit at the table of Jesus, and fill us with the life and joy of your Son. Let him make us truly the Body of Christ, in which it becomes visible that we are the heart and the hands of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. R/ Amen.
Introduction to the Eucharistic Prayer
With the Holy Spirit in our hearts, let us with joy and gratitude join in the thanksgiving of Jesus our Lord.
Introduction to the Lord’s Prayer
We cannot say “Jesus is Lord” except through the Spirit. We cannot say “Father” to God, except through the Spirit crying out in us. With this Holy Spirit, we can now say with complete trust the prayer given us by Jesus. R/ Our Father...
Deliver Us
Deliver us Lord, from every evil and grant in our day the peace of Christ, which is the work of your Spirit. In your mercy keep us free from all the sins which obstruct the unity and the universality of your Church. Protect us from all anxiety and reassure us that even in the uncertainties of our time the Spirit leads us forward in joyful hope toward the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ. R/ For the kingdom...
Invitation to Communion (See Rev 22:17, 21)
The Spirit and the Church says: come. Let everyone who listen answer: come. Let all who are thirsty come. All who want it may have the water of life and have it free. This is the risen Christ whose spirit moves us forward to bear witness to God’s love. R/ Lord, I am not worthy...
Prayer after Communion
God our Father, we have heard your Son speak his Word to us and we have eaten from his table the bread of life. Let your Spirit put fire in these words, that they may keep burning in us and shaking us up from our indifference. And may the Spirit prompt and urge us to become tasty bread to one another, who restore and build up our brothers and sisters on the way to you, our living God. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. R/ Amen.
Blessing
In this Eucharist God has poured out on us again the fire and the storm wind of the Spirit. May the Spirit move us to take the risk of committing ourselves fully to God and to people. May he give us the courage to change ourselves and the Church we love, that we may be living signs to all the world of God’s goodness and presence. May almighty God bless you: the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. R/ Amen.
Go and let the Holy Spirit keep your hearts afire with God’s love. R/ Thanks be to God.
