Mass Readings for Pentecost Year C
- First Reading – Acts 2:1-11: “Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.”
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 104: “Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.”
- Second Reading – Corinthians 12:3B-7, 12-13: “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.”
- Alternate Second Reading – Romans 8:8-17: “For if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”
- Gospel – John 20:19-23: “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”
- Alternate Gospel – John 14:15-16, 23B-26: “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.””
Themes for Pentecost Year C
The readings for Pentecost Year C promise that we are not on our own, but have the Spirit to guide us. In the first reading the Holy Spirit comes to the disciples. The psalm asks for the Spirit to come to us. In the second reading we learn that only through the Holy Spirit can we declare that Jesus Christ is Lord. In the alternate second reading we hear that life in the world brings only death, but the Spirit brings life. In the gospel Jesus breathes the Spirit into his disciples. In the alternate gospel Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit will keep us close to him.
- The Holy Spirit
- Being empowered as disciples
- New life as Christians
- Evangelization
See the Homilies and Reflections section and the More Thoughts section for further expansion on these readings and some reflection questions for Pentecost Year C.
Resources for Pentecost Year C
The Holy Spirit Is Like the Wind (Kite Activity)
This activity is to show children how the Holy Spirit is like the wind. We can’t see the Holy Spirit directly, but we can see the work of the Spirit. You will need one or more kites and an outdoor location to fly them.
Have a Birthday Party for the Church
Pentecost is, of course, the birthday of the Church. Introduce this idea at your youth ministry meeting by having a birthday party for the church. Then use the reflection questions to help your teens go deeper into the idea of how they are sent to share the good news, just like the disciples.
Homilies and Reflections for Pentecost Year C
The Holy Spirit and Mission
From Bishop Robert Barron. Today we celebrate the great feast of Pentecost, one of the truly great moments in the life of the Church. The Holy Spirit comes to give many spiritual gifts, which prepare us to enter into relationship with Christ and embark on mission.
A New Wind
The giving of the Spirit to the new people of God crowns the mighty acts of the Father in salvation history. We receive that Spirit in the sacraments, being made a “new creation” in Baptism. Drinking of the one Spirit in the Eucharist, we are the first fruits of a new humanity
In this week’s Encountering the Word video, Jeff Cavins reflects on the readings for Pentecost Sunday Year C.
More Thoughts for Pentecost Year C
To the early Christians, the Spirit had two main effects. It united individuals to life eternal in Christ. And it made Christ manifest in the lives of individuals.
The Spirit is mentioned throughout the Old Testament. It is the breath of God, a mighty wind. It is the inspiration for prophets, moving them into speech and action. The Spirit of God was present in the temple.
At Pentecost, the Spirit takes up residence in Christians. And it joins them all together in one purpose. It does not remove individuality, but it breaks down barriers which separate, such as different languages.
We are drawn into the unity of the Spirit through Baptism and through the Eucharist. And in turn, we receive the life of Christ within us. But we still retain our own unique characteristics. Each of us receives different gifts in the Spirit.
Reflection Questions for Pentecost Year C
- How does the Holy Spirit unite me to other Christians?
- What unique gifts have I receive from the Holy Spirit?
- How does the Holy Spirit draw me closer to Christ and all of creation?
Quotes and Social Media Graphics for Pentecost Year C
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a Spirit of adoption, through whom we cry, “Abba, Father!”
We need the Holy Spirit to transmit the faith. We cannot do it alone.
Pope Francis