Resources, Prayers, Games, and Lesson Plans
More Thoughts and Reflection Questions
Mass Readings for Pentecost Year A
- First reading – Acts 2:1-11: When the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, they were able to speak in diverse languages, and this enabled people from different nations to comprehend the gospel’s message. This occurrence marked the inception of the Church, and it led to the conversion of thousands of individuals.
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 104: A psalm of praise to God for His greatness and His manifold works on earth. The response “Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth” highlights the power of God’s spirit to create and renew all things.
- Second reading – 1 Corinthians 12:3B-7, 12-13: Paul teaches that there are various gifts given by the Holy Spirit, which are meant to be used to benefit the entire body of Christ. He emphasizes the unity of the Church, explaining that just as the human body is made up of many parts that work together, so too are the members of the Church united as one body in Christ through the Spirit.
- Gospel – John 20:19-23: Jesus appears to his disciples after his resurrection. He greets them with peace, shows them his wounds, and then breathes on them, giving them the gift of the Holy Spirit and commissioning them to forgive sins.
Themes for Pentecost Year A
The Mass readings for Pentecost Year A clearly emphasize the role of the Holy Spirit. Through the Spirit’s gifts, we are empowered to share the message of Jesus Christ with the world. This important day marks the birth of the Church and is celebrated 50 days after Easter, signifying the end of the Easter season.
- The Holy Spirit’s role in the inception and growth of the Church: In the first reading from Acts, the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, enabling them to speak in different languages and leading to the conversion of thousands. This event marked the beginning of the Church, and the Holy Spirit continued to play a vital role in its growth and development.
- The diverse gifts given by the Holy Spirit for the benefit of the Church: In the second reading for Pentecost Year A, Paul emphasizes the importance of the various gifts given by the Holy Spirit, such as prophecy, healing, and teaching, among others. These gifts are meant to be used for the benefit of the entire body of Christ and to build up the Church.
- The unity of the Church as one body in Christ through the Holy Spirit: Paul compares the Church to a human body, made up of many parts that work together to function as one body. In the same way, the Church is a unified body in Christ through the Holy Spirit, with each member playing a unique role in building up the Church.
- The power of the Holy Spirit to empower believers for Christ’s work in the world: In the Gospel reading for Pentecost Year A, Jesus breathes on his disciples, giving them the gift of the Holy Spirit and commissioning them to continue his work of forgiveness and reconciliation in the world. Through the Holy Spirit, believers are empowered to do the work of Christ and to spread the gospel message to all nations.
- The message of forgiveness and reconciliation through Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit: In the Gospel reading, Jesus commissions his disciples to forgive sins, emphasizing the message of forgiveness and reconciliation that is central to the gospel message. This message is empowered by the Holy Spirit, who gives believers the power to share this message and to continue the work of Christ in the world.
See the Homilies and Reflections section and the More Thoughts section for further expansion on these readings and some reflection questions for Pentecost Year A.
Resources for Pentecost Year A
Inspired By You Letters
This activity is a contemplative exercise that encourages teenagers to reflect on individuals who have positively impacted their faith journey, and motivates them to inspire themselves. This activity is particularly relevant to a youth ministry meeting centered around the Holy Spirit, which makes it a good choice for Pentecost Year A.
The Holy Spirit Is Like the Wind (Kite Activity)
This activity is designed to demonstrate to children how the Holy Spirit is analogous to the wind in scripture, as they fly kites that show the effects of the wind. The objective of the activity is to assist children in comprehending that while they cannot perceive the Holy Spirit directly, they can perceive the Spirit’s work, making it suitable for Pentecost Year A.
Praise to God the Creator
This prayer, which praises God the Creator, is based on Psalm 104, the responsorial psalm for Pentecost Year A. It acknowledges God’s role as the provider and sustainer of all things, and highlights the importance of the Holy Spirit in guiding us and bringing us joy.
Have a Birthday Party for the Church
Pentecost, the birthday of the Church, can be celebrated at a youth ministry meeting with a birthday party for the Church. The celebration can be followed by a discussion centered on the idea of how teens are sent to share the good news, like the disciples, and conclude with a prayer to the Holy Spirit. This activity is suitable for Pentecost Year A and includes ideas for decorations, games, gifts, and food.
Homilies and Reflections for Pentecost Year A
Everyone Is Wearing Red (Jeff Cavins)
The Falling of the Fire (Bishop Robert Barron)
The Birthday of the Church: One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic (Bishop Barron)
Everyone Is Wearing Red
Jeff Cavins reflects on the readings for Pentecost Year A and Fr. Mike Schmitz makes a guest appearance.
The Advocate
From Life Teen. After praying a powerful prayer, one young man’s life changes in a big way, when he finds himself perpetually accompanied by a new friend.
The Falling of the Fire
A homily for Pentecost Year A from Bishop Robert Barron. “On this great feast of Pentecost, we reflect on the charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit. God’s Spirit has given to each baptized person some gift for the upbuilding of the church. When one finds that gift, he should center his entire life around it. There are three paths to the discernment of one’s charismatic gift: prayer, listening to the church, and the stirring of the acorn. To find out what that last one means, listen to the sermon!”
A New Wind
A reflection for Pentecost Year A from Scott Hahn. The giving of the Spirit to the new people of God crowns the mighty acts of the Father in salvation history. The Jewish feast of Pentecost called all devout Jews to Jerusalem to celebrate their birth as God’s chosen people in the covenant Law given to Moses at Sinai. Continue reading.
The Birthday of the Church: One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic
Another homily for Pentecost Year A from Bishop Barron. “On this great feast of Pentecost, I would like to say ‘happy birthday’ to every Catholic listening to me, for we hold, in our traditional theology, that Pentecost is the birthday of the Church. It would behoove us on this our birthday to reflect on the nature of the Church. In the Creed, which we recite every Sunday, we find the familiar phrase, ‘We believe in one, holy, Catholic, and apostolic Church.’ All four of these marks can be seen from the beginning, at that first Pentecost, because all four are gifts of the Holy Spirit.”
More Thoughts for Pentecost Year A
The Power of the Holy Spirit
The readings for Pentecost Year A emphasize the significance of the Holy Spirit in the birth and growth of the Church. In the first reading from Acts, we see the Holy Spirit descending upon the apostles and allowing them to speak in different languages, enabling people from diverse nations to comprehend the gospel message. This event marked the beginning of the Church, and through the Holy Spirit, the apostles were empowered to spread the good news of Christ, leading to the conversion of thousands.
In the second reading, Paul highlights the importance of the gifts given by the Holy Spirit for the benefit of the entire body of Christ. Each member of the Church has been given unique gifts, and these gifts are meant to be used for the common good of the Church. Paul emphasizes the unity of the Church, comparing it to the human body, which is made up of many parts that work together. In the same way, the Church is a unified body in Christ through the Holy Spirit.
In the Gospel for Pentecost Year A, we see Jesus appearing to his disciples after his resurrection, greeting them with peace and commissioning them to forgive sins. He breathes on them, giving them the gift of the Holy Spirit. Through this gift, the disciples are empowered to continue the work of Christ, spreading the message of forgiveness and reconciliation to all.
As we reflect on these readings, we are reminded of the power and importance of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in the life of the Church. Through the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to share the good news of Christ with others, to use our unique gifts for the benefit of the Church, and to continue the work of Christ in the world today. Let us pray for a renewed outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in the life of the Church, that we may be strengthened and empowered to do God’s work in the world.
A Constant Companion
As Catholics, we celebrate the feast of Pentecost as the birthday of the Church. On this day, we commemorate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles, empowering them to proclaim the Gospel to the ends of the earth. It was through the power of the Holy Spirit that the apostles were able to speak in different tongues and be understood by people from diverse communities.
Pentecost is more than just a historical occurrence that took place two millennia ago. While we receive the Holy Spirit in a special way during the sacrament of Confirmation, this is not a one-time event. The Holy Spirit is with us every day.
And the Holy Spirit does not simply dwell within us passively. The Spirit is active in our lives, inspiring and guiding us in every moment. We are called to be attentive to the promptings of the Spirit and to cooperate with the Spirit’s work in our lives.
The Holy Spirit’s Gift of Communication
One of the gifts that the Holy Spirit bestows upon the Church is the ability to communicate the Gospel to diverse communities in ways that are accessible and meaningful to them. As we encounter people who are different from us, whether in language, culture, or background, the Holy Spirit will give us the words and the wisdom to share the Good News with them.
In today’s world, where people are often divided by language, culture, and ideology, this gift of the Holy Spirit is especially important. We are called to be ambassadors of Christ’s love, reaching out to all people with compassion and understanding. We must be willing to listen to their stories, to learn from their experiences, and to share the Gospel in a way that speaks to their hearts.
So on this feast of Pentecost, let us renew our commitment to the Holy Spirit and ask for the grace to be open to the Spirit’s guidance in our lives. Let us be bold in proclaiming the Gospel to all people, confident that the Holy Spirit will give us the words and the wisdom to do so. And let us be grateful for the gift of the Holy Spirit, which empowers us to be agents of God’s love in the world.
Reflection Questions for Pentecost Year A
- How does the Holy Spirit empower individuals to spread the good news of Christ?
- What are the unique gifts that the Holy Spirit gives to each member of the Church?
- How does Paul use the analogy of the human body to describe the unity of the Church through the Holy Spirit?
- How does the gift of the Holy Spirit empower the disciples to continue the work of Christ in the world?
- In what ways can we be attentive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and cooperate with the Spirit’s work in our lives?
- How does the Holy Spirit help us communicate the Gospel to diverse communities in ways that are accessible and meaningful to them?
- What is the importance of listening to the stories and experiences of people who are different from us, in the context of sharing the Gospel?
- How can we be agents of God’s love in the world through the power of the Holy Spirit?
Quotes and Social Media Graphics for Pentecost Year A
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.”
Holy Spirit, breathe into our hearts and let us inhale the tenderness of the Father. Breathe upon the Church, so that she may spread the Gospel with joy. Breathe upon the world the fresh restoration of hope.
Pope Francis
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