The Sunday Lectionary Readings for SUNDAY, June 9, 2019 - Day of Pentecost

Our Lady of Pentecost Catholic Church Quezon City, Philippines

The Sunday Lectionary Readings

SUNDAY, June 9, 2019 - Day of Pentecost

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

Opening Prayer

As We Gather Here

(Words for the above video)

As we gather here in the harbour of your safety

We thank you for fellowship and family.

We ask that you will strengthen us, restore us and inspire us with your love.

Lord, would fill us with your peace

So that as we journey onwards

We would pour out your love and grace to others.

We ask that our souls would catch the wind of your spirit

so that we would take your promises to all the earth.

Amen.

The Collect (Book of Common Prayers)

Almighty God, on this day you opened the way of eternal life to every race and nation by the promised gift of your Holy Spirit: Shed abroad this gift throughout the world by the preaching of the Gospel, that it may reach to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Prayer of Confession

Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from Your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against Your holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and there is nothing good in us. O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare those, O God, who confess their faults. Restore those who are penitent; according to Your promises declared unto men in Christ Jesus our Lord. Grant that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life; to the glory of His name. Amen.

Words of Assurance

Like the warm rain that falls in the summertime or the light snow of winter, God’s grace is showered upon us, reminding us that this is the moment to begin again. Amen.

Come, O Spirit of God,

Cause blind eyes to see.

In this day, awaken our land.

Come, O Spirit of power,

Breathe life through your church.

Come O Lord, bring Heaven to Earth,

Bring Heaven to Earth.

This is our prayer for Pentecost Sunday – the day we remember how the Holy Spirit came on the first disciples with great power. The word “power” (Acts 1:8) in the Greek is “dunamis” from where we derive the English word “dynamite”. So “you will receive dynamite when the Holy Spirit comes on you” is a more accurate way of understanding what Jesus was wanting to convey to his disciples!

First Reading

Acts 2:1-21

The Coming of the Holy Spirit
2:1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

5 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6 And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7 Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” 12 All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”

Peter Addresses the Crowd
14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. 15 Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. 16 No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

17 ‘In the last days it will be, God declares,
   that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
     and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
   and your young men shall see visions,
     and your old men shall dream dreams.
18 Even upon my slaves, both men and women,
     in those days I will pour out my Spirit;
         and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show portents in the heaven above
     and signs on the earth below,
        blood, and fire, and smoky mist.
20 The sun shall be turned to darkness
     and the moon to blood,
         before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.
21 Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

or

Genesis 11:1-9

The Tower of Babel
11:1 Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. 2 And as they migrated from the east, they came upon a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. 3 And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.” And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar. 4 Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves; otherwise we shall be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.” 5 The Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which mortals had built. 6 And the Lord said, “Look, they are one people, and they have all one language; and this is only the beginning of what they will do; nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down, and confuse their language there, so that they will not understand one another’s speech.” 8 So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. 9 Therefore it was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth; and from there the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.

Psalm 104:25-35, 37 Benedic, anima mea

O Lord, how manifold are your works! *
in wisdom you have made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.

Yonder is the great and wide sea
with its living things too many to number, *
creatures both small and great.

There move the ships,
and there is that Leviathan, *
which you have made for the sport of it.

All of them look to you *
to give them their food in due season.

You give it to them; they gather it; *
you open your hand, and they are filled with good things.

You hide your face, and they are terrified; *
you take away their breath,
and they die and return to their dust.

You send forth your Spirit, and they are created; *
and so you renew the face of the earth.

May the glory of the Lord endure for ever; *
may the Lord rejoice in all his works.

He looks at the earth and it trembles; *
he touches the mountains and they smoke.

I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; *
I will praise my God while I have my being.

May these words of mine please him; *
I will rejoice in the Lord.

Bless the Lord, O my soul. *
Hallelujah!

Second Reading

Romans 8:14-17

8:14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

or

Acts 2:1-21
[See above]

The Gospel

John 14:8-17 [25-27]

14:8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. 12 Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.

The Promise of the Holy Spirit
15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. 17 This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.

[25 “I have said these things to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.]

Here ends the Lessons

Click HERE to read today's Holy Gospel Lesson message

The Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Closing Prayer

Lord, thank you that we are a family in Christ. Help us to share his love and legacy with everyone that we encounter this week. May we lavish Christ’s abounding goodness upon our families, friends and colleagues. Holy Spirit, come and equip us in our workplace, guide us in our school life, and inspire us in our neighbourhood. May we be your hands and feet to the needy, your words of affirmation to the oppressed and your arms of comfort to the lonely.

Thank you for choosing to use us to bring your kingdom here on earth.

Amen.

Optional parts of the readings are set off in [square brackets.]

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the USA, and used by permission.
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

“Empowerment of the Holy Spirit” The Sermon for SUNDAY, June 9, 2019 - Day of Pentecost

Our message comes to us today from the 2nd chapter of Acts, beginning with the 1st verse.

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.” But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: ‘In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day. Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ (Acts 2:1-21, NRSV)

All mighty God, we thank you for your word and the way that you in it revealed to us who you are and what you've done for us in Christ. Now as we open that word we pray that your spirit may be present, that all thoughts of worry or distraction may be removed and that the Spirit will allow us to hear your voice. And so, oh God, fill us with your spirit through the reading and proclamation of your word this day. We pray in Jesus name. Amen.

“Empowerment of the Holy Spirit”

Grace be unto you and peace, from God our Father and from our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

There has, for centuries, been a debate among Biblical scholars as to just when the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples historically occurred. According to John’s Gospel, it occurred on the evening of his resurrection, when Jesus first appeared to his disciples huddled behind locked doors, fearing for their lives.

John tells us in John 20:21 that Jesus, whom the disciples had seen die on a Roman cross and buried in a rock-hewn tomb, suddenly appeared among them, saying “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, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

But according to Luke in Acts 2, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit occurred forty-nine days later, on the Jewish festival of Pentecost. Again, the disciples ere huddled together in one place, perhaps still fearing for their lives, certainly still trying to come to terms with their experience of Christ’s death and resurrection, when the Spirit of God came upon them.

And what a difference there is between these two accounts, in the way that they describe this great event event. John tells us that the risen Jesus simply breathed on his disciples, giving them the Spirit. Luke, true to his penchant for storytelling, uses a little more dramatic description, telling us that the Spirit came upon the disciples like the rush of mighty wind, and visibly appeared like tongues of fire.

But regardless of the historical date that God poured out his Spirit upon the disciples, or regardless of how that even unfolded, we can not deny that God’s Spirit came upon the disciples. Something profound took place to enable those frightened disciples to begin to comprehend God’s gift of redemption in Christ’s death and resurrection, which empowered them to unbolt the doors behind which they had been hiding, and go out into the street to proclaim the Gospel.

Just think of the irony, the reversal of expectation that the Holy Spirit brought into the life of Peter. Here was a man, who, on the night our Lord was betrayed, arrested, and taken off on a course of events what would result in his crucifixion, was so afraid for his own life that he denied three times that he even knew Jesus. But through the power of the Holy Spirit, this same man who cowered in fear for his own life, became the first person to publicly proclaim that through Christ’s death and resurrection, God had acted to redeem the world from sin and death. And as a result of the inspiration he had received from God’s Spirit, the Christian church was born.

Perhaps it is a good thing that we do not have a precise date for the gift of God’s Spirit, or an eyewitness description of just how it was given. For the gift of God’s Spirit is not something that can be relegated to the past, as an historic event, but an ongoing process that continues to inspire and bring people to faith to this day. So let’s look at some of the gifts that God’s Spirit inspires in the life of Christ’s disciples.

First, if we consider the passage from John’s Gospel, the Holy Spirit gave to the disciples the ability to forgive or retain sins. To give or receive forgiveness is pure grace. If we do something that truly hurts another person, that may be something that we control.

But we cannot do anything to cause the person we may have hurt by our actions to forgive us. And if they do forgive us, it is a gift of love. God’s Spirit, through enabling us to comprehend the forgiving love of God in Christ’s death and resurrection, leads us to the desire to forgive and to know the forgiveness of others. And even if we do not obtain the forgiveness of others, we can, if we truly repent, know the forgiveness of God.

Luke tells us that God’s Spirit enables us to proclaim the Gospel, to share with others that we have come to know that in our Lord’s death and resurrection, God has acted to redeem us from sin and death. It is a message that is meant to be shared, not only with our closest friends and family, but also with the whole world.

In today’s cultural climate, where it is not “cool” to be a Christian or religious, it would be easy to keep your faith to yourself. In many circles today, it takes courage just to admit that you believe in God, that you are a Christians, and that you go to church. We are not left to our own powers to summon that courage. We have received the power of God's Spirit at our baptism, and if we open our hearts to the presence of God within us, we would find the courage to speak the Gospel in truth.

Paul tells us in Romans 8:26 that “the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.” To approach God in prayer is not an issue of having the proper grammar, or being able to articulate what God wants to hear. I have often been driving down the road and simply carried on a mental conversation with God. God’s Spirit knows what is in your heart, and his Spirit takes your prayer to the Father.

Finally John tells us that God’s Spirit is the Spirit of truth. What John is really saying here by his use of the word “truth” is that God’s Spirit is the Spirit of faithfulness. He is saying that God’s Spirit will “testify” on behalf of Jesus – will lead us to believe and come to faith in him. And John tells us the God’s Spirit will guide us into faithfulness. This tells me that the Spirit of God, whom we have received at our baptism, will never give up on us, even though we might turn our hearts away from his guidance.

Truly, the role of God’s Spirit is complex. It has many functions, but all of these functions are to move us to deeper faith, and empower us to become the corporate body of Christ on earth. Together, the Spirit moves us to help each other grow in faith, to empower our witness, and to continue the proclamation of the saving grace of God, revealed to us through our Lord’s death and resurrection.

Let us pray: Dear Heavenly Father, on this day we humbly give you thanks for the gift of your Holy Spirit, poured out upon the church to empower us to proclaim the Gospel of Christ’s victory over sin and death. Through the same Spirit, enable us to come to deeper faith in your gift of redemption, kindle in us the fire of your love, and strengthen our lives for service in your kingdom. This we ask in Christ’s holy name. Amen.

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Scripture taken from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)® Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Sermon contributed by Rev. Ronald Harbaugh.
Something profound took place on the Day of Pentecost to enable the frightened disciples to begin to comprehend God’s gift of redemption in Christ’s death and resurrection, which empowered them to go out into the street to proclaim the Gospel.

The Morning Prayer for SUNDAY, June 9, 2019 - Day of Pentecost

Sunday morning prayer

Lord on this special day, I run into Your loving arms. May Sunday be a celebration, filled with thankfulness, where I connect with the presence of Heaven, seek Your beauty and goodness, and cherish special family time together. Come fill my heart afresh with Your love. May it overflow with Heaven's bounty, moving through this rest day and into the week ahead.

Lord on this special day,

I run into Your arms.

Spend cherished time with family,

And find shelter in Your palm.

May Sunday be a celebration,

Full up to the brim,

With Heaven's promise ringing loud,

And Your love flowing in.

Amen.

Early Morning Prayer

I come before you O Lord
As the sun rises may your hope rise up in me.
As the birds sing may your love flow out of me.
As the light floods into this new day,
May your joy shine through me.
I come before you, O Lord
And drink in this moment of peace,
That I may carry something of your hope, love and joy
Today in my heart.

Amen.

Verse of the Day SUNDAY, June 9, 2019 - Day of Pentecost

Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV) “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Read all of Matthew 7

Listen to Matthew 7

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Un dia a la Vez - Sunday, June 9, 2019

Semana de meditación:

¿Tu casa es un cuadrilátero?

Así dice el Señor [...] «Búsquenme y vivirán».

~ Amós 5:4 (NVI)

Es triste, pero a muchos nos ha tocado en alguna época de nuestra vida ver algún lugar de la casa convertido en un ring de pelea. Quiero que sepan que lo viví en algunas oportunidades. Durante mi primer matrimonio, tuve algunos problemas por violencia doméstica. Así que mi cuarto, baño y cocina fueron un cuadrilátero donde el público eran dos criaturas que temblaban de miedo.

¡Cuántas mujeres maltratadas saben de lo que estoy hablando! Sin embargo, no solo se trata de peleas entre parejas, también existen entre padres e hijos que se faltan al respeto. Incluso, puede haber algunos golpes en esas discusiones.

El problema no termina aquí, ¿qué me dicen de los hermanos en los que menos los une es el amor? Se odian y se desafían dentro de la casa a puño limpio, sin importar que el público presente sea sus padres y a veces abuelos.

Dios no formó la familia para que tú y yo la despedacemos de esa manera. A veces pienso en qué sentirá Dios cuando ve desde el cielo tanta agresividad.

Padres, hijos, no podemos permitir que esto siga pasando. Queremos hogares felices e hijos estables. Debemos cortar de raíz la violencia dentro de la familia. Si tu hogar está expuesto a este tipo de situación, debes buscar ayuda de inmediato. 

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Es triste, pero a muchos nos ha tocado en alguna época de nuestra vida ver algún lugar de la casa convertido en un ring de pelea.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Sunday, June 9, 2019

INTERNALIZE GOD’S WORD

Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

~ Joshua 1:8 (NIV)

A co-worker who was teaching Christian leaders in Vietnam shares this experience:

I immediately realized that not one of these pastors owned a Bible and that they were waiting to hear from scripture. As I started sharing, one pastor raised his hand. “Excuse me brother, is that the Bible or is that you?”

“This is scripture,” I answered and immediately the leaders took out a notebook and eagerly started writing every word down. I then understood that this was the only way that they could collect scripture verses. I wanted to cry.

As I continued the teaching, the same question came once again. “Excuse me brother, is that the Bible or is that you?”

“This time it’s me,” I answered and suddenly everybody put their “Bibles” down and took out a different notebook and once again wrote down every word I said. Then came lunch break and the leading pastor stood up. “We will now have a time to test our Bible knowledge,” he announced.

I wondered how my Bible knowledge, with more than ten Bibles at my disposal, would measure up with these leaders who do not have their own copies. The leader asked the first question. “What does it say in Obadiah 2:4?”

I shrank in my chair. Please don’t look at me, I thought. I know there is a book of Obadiah but I must confess it has been some time since I read it. The pastors started laughing and then one raised his hand.

“Obadiah only has one chapter, brother!” I felt so ashamed. How is it possible I did not know this and these believers without their own Bibles knew.

Then came the second question. “What does the Bible teach in Nahum 1:7?

An elderly pastor in the front row raised his hand like an eager school child. He then started quoting the scripture: “The Lord is good, a strength in the day of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.”

“Well done brother,” said the leader. “You may sit down now.” But the elderly pastor was not finished yet. “Please,” he asked, “may I continue?” After a nod, he quoted the whole book of Nahum faultlessly.

I was also later introduced to another believer who came to know the Lord only during recent years. His passion for the Word of God is displayed in the fact that he has already memorized seventy-eight chapters of the Bible.

RESPONSE: Today, I will begin a program to internalize God’s Word and hide it in my heart.

PRAYER: Lord, give me a passion for Your Word like believers in Vietnam.

Standing Strong Through The Storm (SSTS), a daily devotional message by SSTS author Paul Estabrooks. © 2011 Open Doors International. Used by permission.

LHM Daily Devotions - Holy Spirit, Ever Dwelling

"Holy Spirit, Ever Dwelling"

Jun. 9, 2019

"Holy Spirit, ever working, Through the Church's ministry: Quick'ning, strength'ning, and absolving, Setting captive sinners free; Holy Spirit, ever binding, Age to age and soul to soul, In communion never ending, You we worship and extol."

After completing the work His Father sent Him to do, the work of accomplishing our salvation, Jesus ascended to His place of authority at the right hand of the Father. Our Lord promised to send the Helper, the Holy Spirit, to His followers and, on the day of Pentecost, the gift was given.

Pentecost—the name means fifty—was also called the Feast of Weeks, because seven weeks after Passover the Jews celebrated God's gift of the harvest. On the day of Pentecost, seven weeks after Jesus rose from the dead, the promised Holy Spirit was poured out on the disciples and a great harvest of souls was gathered into the church. Jesus had said of the Holy Spirit, "He will glorify Me, for He will take what is Mine and declare it to you" (John 16:14). On Pentecost, the Spirit glorified Jesus as the apostle Peter proclaimed the crucified and risen Savior as Lord and Christ. The day began as the little band of believers, numbering about 120 in all, gathered for prayer. By the end of the day, about 3,000 more people—enlightened by the Holy Spirit through the Word of the Gospel—were welcomed into God's kingdom through Baptism.

The promised Spirit, Jesus said, would lead His followers into all the truth and carry out a threefold task: "When He comes, He will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment" (John 16:8). On Pentecost, the Spirit convicted those who heard Peter's sermon. Upon learning that they had crucified the Lord of glory, the people were moved to repentance. Through the Word proclaimed the people learned of the forgiveness found only through faith in Christ, who by His death and resurrection triumphed over sin, death, and the devil. Satan, the ruler of this world (see John 16:11) had been judged and defeated and on Pentecost 3,000 baptized souls were freed from the foe's deadly captivity.

The Holy Spirit still carries out these same tasks today. Whenever and wherever the Gospel is proclaimed, the Spirit is at work, glorifying Jesus. The Helper continues to convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment. Through the church's ministry the Spirit quickens us, that is, gives us new life in the water and Word of Baptism. Through Word and Sacrament, we who were once captive sinners are absolved of sin and strengthened in faith, set free to serve Jesus Christ, the crucified and Risen One whom, as Peter announced on Pentecost, God has made "both Lord and Christ" (Acts 2:36b).

THE PRAYER: Holy Spirit, we pray that through the inspired Word You would guide us into all truth, and through our lives and our witness glorify Jesus our Savior. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• Spirits—good or bad—do you believe they exist?

• How does the Holy Spirit take what belongs to Jesus and declare it to us?

• How do you notice the Holy Spirit at work in your life?

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. It is based on the hymn, "Holy Spirit, Ever Dwelling." Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Spirits—good or bad—do you believe they exist?

Unser Täglich Brot - Abbys Gebet

Abbys Gebet

Lesung: Epheser, 6,16–20 | Die Bibel in einem Jahr: 2. Chronik 32–33; Johannes 18,19-40

MP3 herunterladen

So ermahne ich nun, dass man vor allen Dingen tue Bitte, Gebet, Fürbitte und Danksagung für alle Menschen. 1. Timotheus 2,1

Als Abby in der Schule war, hörten sie und ihre Mutter einen Nachrichtenbeitrag über einen jungen Mann, der in einem Flugzeugunglück schwer verletzt wurde. Bei diesem Unglück kamen sein Vater und seine Stiefmutter ums Leben. Obwohl sie den Mann nicht kannten, sagte Abbys Mutter: „Wir müssen für ihn und seine Familie beten.“ Das taten sie dann auch.

Einige Jahre später betrat Abby einen Klassenraum ihrer Universität. Ein Student bot ihr den Platz neben sich an. Der Student hieß Austin Hatch, das Opfer des Flugzeugabsturzes, für den Abby gebetet hatte. Schon bald wurden sie ein Paar und im Jahr 2018 heirateten sie.

„Es ist verrückt, dass ich für meinen zukünftigen Ehemann gebetet habe“, sagte Abby in einem Interview kurz vor ihrer Heirat. Es ist sehr leicht, unsere Gebete auf unsere persönlichen Bedürfnisse und der uns Nahestehenden zu beschränken, ohne die Zeit zu nehmen, auch für andere zu beten. Paulus schreibt jedoch an die Christen in Ephesus und ermahnte sie: „Betet allezeit mit allem Bitten und Flehen im Geist und wacht dazu mit aller Beharrlichkeit und Flehen für alle Heiligen“ (Epheser 6,18). Und in 1. Timotheus 2,1 heißt es, dass wir „für alle Menschen“ beten sollen, einschließlich der Obrigkeit.

Beten wir für andere — selbst für Menschen, die wir nicht kennen. Das ist eine Möglichkeit, um die „Lasten des anderen“ zu tragen (Galater 6,2).

Jesus, öffne mir das Herz für die Bedürfnisse der Menschen um mich herum, selbst für die, die ich nicht kenne. Nimm meine aufrichtige Anteilnahme. Greife du für sie ein, wie nur du es kannst.

Von Dave Branon

© 2019 Unser Täglich Brot
Als Abby in der Schule war, hörten sie und ihre Mutter einen Nachrichtenbeitrag über einen jungen Mann, der in einem Flugzeugunglück schwer verletzt wurde.