May 11, 2008 Pentecost

Sign of the Cross

Call to Prayer: In every generation, O God of Easter glory, you send forth your Holy Creator Spirit, to breathe upon the world and make it come alive! Fulfill the promise of these Fifty Days with the abundant harvest of your Spirit’s gifts and help us to be open to your Spirit in our midst. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ who sends us the Spirit of truth and who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.

The Word of God

A reading from the holy gospel according to John (20: 19 -23)

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst
and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” The Gospel of the Lord

The Faith Sharing: share around the following:

• What about being Catholic challenges you? Comforts you?

• What are some obstacles to receiving the Holy Spirit?

• What helps you to listen and respond to the Spirit?

Spontaneous Intercessions

Our Father

Closing Prayer: O God, send your Spirit into our lives with the power of a mighty wind, and by the flame of your wisdom, open the horizons of our minds that we may continue to respond to your Spirit and be about your work in our world. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.