May 23.  PENTECOST.   Day 8: Reconciling with all of creation: “So that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete” (Jn 15:11) We participate in the work of the Spirit so that creation in all its fullness may continue to praise God. When nature suffers, when human beings are crushed, the Spirit of the risen Christ – far from allowing us to lose heart – invites us to become part of his work of healing.

Laudato Si’  221.  God created the world, writing into it an order and dynamism that human beings have no right to ignore.   We read in the Gospel that Jesus says of the birds of the air, that not one of them is forgotten before God.   How can we possibly mistreat them or cause them harm?  I ask all Christian to recognize and to live fully this dimension of their conversion.  In this way we will help to nurture that sublime fraternity with all creation which Saint Francis of Assisi so radiantly embodied.  The Spirit of God has filled the universe with possibilities and therefore from the very heart of things, something new can always emerge.  Nature is nothing other than a certain kind of art, namely God’s art. LS80            

Christian Unity Prayer.  Day 8.  Thrice-holy God, we thank you for having created and loved us. We thank you for your presence in us and in creation. May we learn to look upon the world as you look upon it, with love. In the hope of this vision, may we be able to work for a world where justice and peace flourish, for the glory of your name.

May 23  Pentecost B.  Fr Brian shared in his whatsapp group how in his family around Pentecost they would all reflect on the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit and consider and share what they saw in each other.  “One year I was credited with kindness, maybe that was because I had tried hard to practise self-control.  It would be a very nice thing for you all to do in your own families.  You can see activities we have suggested in our Sunday bulletin today.”   

When the day of Pentecost had come they were all together in one place.  And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared  to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them.  Acts 2:1-2   There are varieties of gifts but the same spirit and they are gifts of service but the same Lord.  To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. Just as the body is one and has many members and all the members are one body so it is with Christ.  Cor 12:4, 12.   

SUGGESTED PENTECOST ACTIVITIES THAT COULD BE DONE IN THE FAMILY

·   Spend some time together to reflect, discuss and share what gifts and fruits you see in each other and in creation. .

·   Let each choose the gifts and fruits they believe they need for their own lives and pray together that the Holy Spirit will bless each member with what they have asked.

·  As an activity – possibly with smaller children – talk and draw pictures of different gifts and fruits, or use a poster of  images of the gifts and fruits and colour it in.