Are you still living in the joy of Easter as you should? We are after all still in Eastertide! And a new sense of excitement should be welling from within us as we prepare ourselves to start counting down to Pentecost!
We disciples, of Christ Jesus our Lord are not waiting for a second Pentecost or even a brand new one, but rather we are asking our Lord for a fresh renewal of mind, body and Spirit. For we already have the Holy Spirit present to us when we pray as One body in Christ, in our worship and praise of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ!
Whatever trouble we may face, we are not alone! We have God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit! For Jesus has conquered the World. Amen Alleluia!
Saint Rita of Cascia pray for us….
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First reading
Acts 19:1-8 ·
The moment Paul laid hands on them the Holy Spirit came down on them
While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul made his way overland as far as Ephesus, where he found a number of disciples. When he asked, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?’ they answered, ‘No, we were never even told there was such a thing as a Holy Spirit.’ ‘Then how were you baptised?’ he asked. ‘With John’s baptism’ they replied. ‘John’s baptism’ said Paul ‘was a baptism of repentance; but he insisted that the people should believe in the one who was to come after him – in other words, Jesus.’ When they heard this, they were baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus, and the moment Paul had laid hands on them the Holy Spirit came down on them, and they began to speak with tongues and to prophesy. There were about twelve of these men.
He began by going to the synagogue, where he spoke out boldly and argued persuasively about the kingdom of God. He did this for three months.
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Gospel
John 16:29-33
Be brave, for I have conquered the world
His disciples said to Jesus, ‘Now you are speaking plainly and not using metaphors! Now we see that you know everything, and do not have to wait for questions to be put into words; because of this we believe that you came from God.’ Jesus answered them:
‘Do you believe at last?
Listen; the time will come – in fact it has come already –
when you will be scattered,
each going his own way and leaving me alone.
And yet I am not alone,
because the Father is with me.
I have told you all this
so that you may find peace in me.
In the world you will have trouble,
but be brave: I have conquered the world.’
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