On the evening of that first day of the week,
when the doors were locked, where the disciples were,
for fear of the Jews,
Jesus came and stood in their midst
and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.
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.”
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,
“Receive the Holy Spirit.
Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them,
and whose sins you retain are retained.
At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit gave the Apostles all the gifts they needed to go out and preach the Gospel to the world. Ultimately, all of them except John would die as martyrs.
Pentecost occurs 50 days after Easter Sunday, ten days after the Ascension. Mary and the Apostles prayed together continuously after the Ascension, and this is where we Catholics get our tradition of the novena, nine days of dedicated prayer.
Once, when I was struggling with an especially difficult spiritual battle, a wise priest reminded me to call upon the Spirit when I prayed, to guide me and help me, but also to deliver my prayers perfected to God. Those words helped me to see the might, power, love and completeness of the Advocate, and truly brought home to me all the gifts God makes available to us.
Too often we forget to use them.
I learn so much here, secular and Christian.
May God bless us again on this Pentecost.
Thank you Menagerie. Thank you Sundance.
Thank you Jesus.
May the Holy Spirit reside in us all. Pax Vobis.
Veni Creator Spiritus • With English Translation By Adrian Fortescue
Traditional Latin Mass example
For me, so easy to overlook the significance of today just living life best I know.
Thank you for a wonderful reminder, Menagerie.
In fact, the gifts of the Holy Spirit can help those living our best lives to live even better ones! 🙂
Wholeheartedly agree!
Bless you, Sundance
And Menagerie.
Romans 8: 26-27
Moreover, in like manner the Spirit also joins in to help us in our weakness, for we do not know for what we should pray as is fitting, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
But He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to God.
Amen indeed.
I love the Holy Spirit. I am converting to RC from Anglican and I believe it was this presence that directed me. Thankyou for this. We do need to turn more to God. Especially now.
God Bless you, Nancy. Your conversion is a sign of deep love for Jesus as the facade of Mother Church is not appealing. (the Reality, the Deposit of Faith, inside has not and cannot change)
But, you apparently know that in Her resides the valid priesthood. Only at the hand of the validly ordained priest is bread and wine transubstantiated and without which you “…will not have life within you.” (Jn 5:53 – 5) That same priest, has by the Lord Himself, been delegated the power to effectively forgive those sins confessed sincerely with purpose of amendment.
Hang in there !!!! the ride is getting bumpy
I am a Bible believing Christian, filled with the Holy Spirit, though not Catholic. Will you please expound on, “…in Her resides the valid priesthood. Only at the hand of the validly ordained priest is bread and wine transubstanciación and without which … you will not have life within you.”
I am not trying to be contentious. It sounds like that’s a reference to the Lords Supper/Communion. I have not heard that before, I would like to understand what that means.
Respectfully, Indi
In John chapter 6 Jesus said that whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood will have eternal life. For my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Jesus actually meant to eat His flesh and drink His blood. I referenced in a comment below how this is typological of Adam and Eve eating the fruit from the Tree of Life in the garden of Eden. After our first parents sinned, they were banned from eating from the Tree of Life, for to do so, now being unworthy, would have been a sacrilege against God. Jesus, dying on the cross, opened up the possibility for us to gain eternal life in Heaven again, but He said that we must eat His flesh and drink His blood-literally. You can say that He is the “new” Fruit hanging from the tree – the cross. The Catholic Church has apostolic succession from it’s beginning at Pentecost, where the Holy Spirit came down and instituted the Priesthood. Only by a validly ordained Catholic Priest can bread and wine be changed into the actual Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. We can eat His flesh and drink His blood at Mass (under the appearance of bread and wine), but we must do so worthily – without mortal sin on our conscience, otherwise we commit sacrilege just as Adam and Eve would have done if they had eaten from the Tree of Life after they sinned.
Thanks for a succinct and accurate summation. I like this video because it illustrates the beauty of what is happening at the Eucharist. It also shows one point you didn’t mention. Jesus Christ himself, in the body of the priest consecrates the Host.
We are United in prayer and in the presence of Christ and all the angels and saints in heaven.
I believe Adam and Eve were banned from eating of the tree of life so that they would not live forever IN their sin, until the “seed of the woman”came to condemn sin IN sinful man in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.
Romans 8
Tbs link provides a very good case for why we Catholics believe in the Eucharist as the literal Body and Blood. It’s not too long and very to the point. Many left Jesus after his Bread of Life discourse. He never backed off when they objected to his words. He never said “I mean this in a symbolic way.” Also, from the article linked:
https://www.catholicmannight.com/jesus-christ-giver-of-the-sacraments/gnaw-on-this-this-is-my-body-and-blood/
Dear Indimex,
What a humble and Spirit filled question you have posted ! Yes, the reference is similar to what is called in Protestant Church The Lords Supper.
Jeff and Menagerie below have good posts for you to consider. I will add an article about the term valid priesthood. See link below.
When Apostles Became Priests | Catholic Answers
On the Catholic Priesthood
Pope Pius XI – 1935
8. The human race has always felt the need of a priesthood: of men, that is, who have the official charge to be mediators between God and humanity, men who should consecrate themselves entirely to this mediation, as to the very purpose of their lives, men set aside to offer to God public prayers and sacrifices in the name of human society. For human society as such is bound to offer to God public and social worship. It is bound to acknowledge in Him its Supreme Lord and first beginning, and to strive toward Him as to its last end, to give Him thanks and offer Him propitiation. In fact, priests are to be found among all peoples whose customs are known, except those compelled by violence to act against the most sacred laws of human nature. They may, indeed, be in the service of false divinities; but wherever religion is professed, wherever altars are built, there also is a priesthood surrounded by particular marks of honor and veneration.
9. Yet in the splendor of Divine Revelation the priest is seen invested with a dignity far greater still. This dignity was foreshadowed of old by the venerable and mysterious figure of Melchisedech, Priest and King, whom St. Paul recalls as prefiguring the Person and Priesthood of Christ Our Lord Himself.
10. The priest, according to the magnificent definition given by St. Paul is indeed a man Ex hominibus assumptus, “taken from amongst men,” yet pro hominibus constituitur in his quae sunt ad Deum, “ordained for men in the things that appertain to God”: his office is not for human things, and things that pass away, however lofty and valuable these may seem; but for things divine and enduring. These eternal things may, perhaps, through ignorance, be scorned and contemned, or even attacked with diabolical fury and malice, as sad experience has often proved, and proves even today; but they always continue to hold the first place in the aspirations, individual and social, of humanity, because the human heart feels irresistibly it is made for God and is restless till it rests in Him.
11. The Old Law, inspired by God and promulgated by Moses, set up a priesthood, which was, in this manner, of divine institution; and determined for it every detail of its duty, residence and rite. It would seem that God, in His great care for them, wished to impress upon the still primitive mind of the Jewish people one great central idea. This idea throughout the history of the chosen people, was to shed its light over all events, laws, ranks and offices: the idea of sacrifice and priesthood. These were to become, through faith in the future Messias, a source of hope, glory, power and spiritual liberation. The temple of Solomon, astonishing in richness and splendor, was still more wonderful in its rites and ordinances. Erected to the one true God as a tabernacle of the divine Majesty upon earth, it was also a sublime poem sung to that sacrifice and that priesthood, which, though type and symbol, was still so august, that the sacred figure of its High Priest moved the conqueror Alexander the Great, to bow in reverence; and God Himself visited His wrath upon the impious king Balthasar because he made revel with the sacred vessels of the temple. Yet that ancient priesthood derived its greatest majesty and glory from being a foretype of the Christian priesthood; the priesthood of the New and eternal Covenant sealed with the Blood of the Redeemer of the world, Jesus Christ, true God and true Man.
12. The Apostle of the Gentiles thus perfectly sums up what may be said of the greatness, the dignity and the duty of the Christian priesthood: Sic nos existimet homo Ut ministros Christi et dispensatores mysteriorum Dei — “Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ and the dispensers of the mysteries of God.” The priest is the minister of Christ, an instrument, that is to say, in the hands of the Divine Redeemer. He continues the work of the redemption in all its world-embracing universality and divine efficacy, that work that wrought so marvelous a transformation in the world. Thus the priest, as is said with good reason, is indeed “another Christ”; for, in some way, he is himself a continuation of Christ. “As the Father hath sent Me, I also send you,” is spoken to the priest, and hence the priest, like Christ, continues to give “glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men of good will.”
13. For, in the first place, as the Council of Trent teaches, Jesus Christ at the Last Supper instituted the sacrifice and the priesthood of the New Covenant: “our Lord and God, although once and for all, by means of His death on the altar of the cross, He was to offer Himself to God the Father, that thereon He might accomplish eternal Redemption; yet because death was not to put an end to his priesthood, at the Last Supper, the same night in which He was betrayed in order to leave to His beloved spouse the Church, a sacrifice which should be visible (as the nature of man requires), which should represent that bloody sacrifice, once and for all to be completed on the cross, which should perpetuate His memory to the end of time, and which should apply its saving power unto the remission of sins we daily commit, showing Himself made a priest forever according to the order of Melchisedech, offered to God the Father, under the appearance of bread and wine, His Body and Blood, giving them to the apostles (whom He was then making priests of the New Covenant) to be consumed under the signs of these same things, and commanded the Apostles and their successors in the priesthood to offer them, by the words ‘Do this in commemoration of Me.’ ”
14. And thenceforth, the Apostles, and their successors in the priesthood, began to lift to heaven that “clean oblation” foretold by Malachy, through which the name of God is great among the gentiles. And now, that same oblation in every part of the world and at every hour of the day and night, is offered and will continue to be offered without interruption till the end of time: a true sacrificial act, not merely symbolical, which has a real efficacy unto the reconciliation of sinners with the Divine Majesty.
15. “Appeased by this oblation, the Lord grants grace and the gift of repentance, and forgives iniquities and sins, however great.” The reason of this is given by the same Council in these words: “For there is one and the same Victim, there is present the same Christ who once offered Himself upon the Cross, who now offers Himself by the ministry of priests, only the manner of the offering being different.”
16. And thus the ineffable greatness of the human priest stands forth in all its splendor; for he has power over the very Body of Jesus Christ, and makes It present upon our altars. In the name of Christ Himself he offers It a victim infinitely pleasing to the Divine Majesty. “Wondrous things are these,” justly exclaims St. John Chrysostom, “so wonderful, they surpass wonder.”
17. Besides this power over the real Body of Christ, the priest has received other powers, august and sublime, over His Mystical Body of Christ, a doctrine so dear to St. Paul; this beautiful doctrine that shows us the Person of the Word-made-Flesh in union with all His brethren. For from Him to them comes a supernatural influence, so that they, with Him as Head, form a single Body of which they are the members. Now a priest is the appointed “dispenser of the mysteries of God,” for the benefit of the members of the mystical Body of Christ; since he is the ordinary minister of nearly all the Sacraments, — those channels through which the grace of the Savior flows for the good of humanity. The Christian, at almost every important stage of his mortal career, finds at his side the priest with power received from God, in the act of communicating or increasing that grace which is the supernatural life of his soul.
18. Scarcely is he born before the priest baptizing him, brings him by a new birth to a more noble and precious life, a supernatural life, and makes him a son of God and of the Church of Jesus Christ. To strengthen him to fight bravely in spiritual combats, a priest invested with special dignity makes him a soldier of Christ by holy chrism. Then, as soon as he is able to recognize and value the Bread of Angels, the priest gives It to him, the living and life-giving Food come down from Heaven. If he fall, the priest raises him up again in the name of God, and reconciles him to God with the Sacrament of Penance. Again, if he is called by God to found a family and to collaborate with Him in the transmission of human life throughout the world, thus increasing the number of the faithful on earth and, thereafter, the ranks of the elect in Heaven, the priest is there to bless his espousals and unblemished love; and when, finally, arrived at the portals of eternity, the Christian feels the need of strength and courage before presenting himself at the tribunal of the Divine Judge, the priest with the holy oils anoints the failing members of the sick or dying Christian, and reconsecrates and comforts him.
19. Thus the priest accompanies the Christian throughout the pilgrimage of this life to the gates of Heaven. He accompanies the body to its resting place in the grave with rites and prayers of immortal hope. And even beyond the threshold of eternity he follows the soul to aid it with Christian suffrages, if need there be of further purification and alleviation. Thus, from the cradle to the grave the priest is ever beside the faithful, a guide, a solace, a minister of salvation and dispenser of grace and blessing.
20. But among all these powers of the priest over the Mystical Body of Christ for the benefit of the faithful, there is one of which the simple mention made above will not content Us. This is that power which, as St. John Chrysostom says: “God gave neither to Angels nor Archangels” — the power to remit sins. “Whose sins you shall forgive they are forgiven them: and whose sins you shall retain they are retained”; a tremendous power, so peculiar to God that even human pride could not make the mind conceive that it could be given to man. “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” And, when we see it exercised by a mere man there is reason to ask ourselves, not, indeed, with pharisaical scandal, but with reverent surprise at such a dignity: “Who is this that forgiveth sins also?” But it is so: the God-Man who possessed the “power on earth to forgive sins” willed to hand it on to His priests; to relieve, in His divine generosity and mercy, the need of moral purification which is rooted in the human heart.
21. What a comfort to the guilty, when, stung with remorse and repenting of his sins, he hears the word of the priest who says to him in God’s name: “I absolve thee from thy sins!” These words fall, it is true, from the lips of one who, in his turn, must needs beg the same absolution from another priest. This does not debase the merciful gift; but makes it, rather, appear greater; since beyond the weak creature is seen more clearly the hand of God through whose power is wrought this wonder. As an illustrious layman has written, treating with rare competence of spiritual things: “. . . when a priest, groaning in spirit at his own unworthiness and at the loftiness of his office, places his consecrated hands upon our heads; when, humiliated at finding himself the dispenser of the Blood of the Covenant; each time amazed as he pronounces the words that give life; when a sinner has absolved a sinner; we, who rise from our knees before him, feel we have done nothing debasing. . . We have been at the feet of a man who represented Jesus Christ, . . . we have been there to receive the dignity of free men and of sons of God.”
22. These august powers are conferred upon the priest in a special Sacrament designed to this end: they are not merely passing or temporary in the priest, but are stable and perpetual, united as they are with the indelible character imprinted on his soul whereby he becomes “a priest forever”; whereby he becomes like unto Him in whose eternal priesthood he has been made a sharer. Even the most lamentable downfall, which, through human frailty, is possible to a priest, can never blot out from his soul the priestly character. But along with this character and these powers, the priest through the Sacrament of Orders receives new and special grace with special helps. Thereby, if only he will loyally further, by his free and personal cooperation, the divinely powerful action of the grace itself, he will be able worthily to fulfill all the duties, however arduous, of his lofty calling. He will not be overborne, but will be able to bear the tremendous responsibilities inherent to his priestly duty; responsibilities which have made fearful even the stoutest champions of the Christian priesthood, men like St. John Chrysostom, St. Ambose, St. Gregory the Great, St. Charles and many others.
23. The Catholic priest is minister of Christ and dispenser of the mysteries of God in another way, that is, by his words. The “ministry of the word” is a right which is inalienable; it is a duty which cannot be disallowed; for it is imposed by Jesus Christ Himself: “Going, therefore, teach ye all nations . . . teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” The Church of Christ, depository and infallible guardian of divine revelation, by means of her priests, pours out the treasures of heavenly truth; she preaches Him who is “the true Light which enlighteneth every man that cometh into this world”; she sows with divine bounty that seed which is small and worthless to the profane eyes of the world, but which is like the mustard seed of the Gospel. For it has within itself power to strike strong deep roots in souls which are sincere and thirsting for the truth, and make them like sturdy trees able to withstand the wildest storms.
24. Amidst all the aberrations of human thought, infatuated by a false emancipation from every law and curb; and amidst the awful corruptions of human malice, the Church rises up like a bright lighthouse warning by the clearness of its beam every deviation to right or left from the way of truth, and pointing out to one and all the right course that they should follow. Woe if ever this beacon should be — We do not say extinguished, for that is impossible owing to the unfailing promises on which it is founded — but if it should be hindered from shedding far and wide its beneficent light! We see already with Our own eyes whither the world has been brought by its arrogant rejection of divine revelation, and its pursuit of false philosophical and moral theories that bear the specious name of “science.” That it has not fallen still lower down the slope of error and vice is due to the guidance of the light of Christian truth that always shines in the world. Now the Church exercises her “ministry of the word” through her priests of every grade of the Hierarchy, in which each has his wisely allotted place. These she sends everywhere as unwearied heralds of the good tidings which alone can save and advance true civilization and culture, or help them to rise again. The word of the priest enters the soul and brings light and power; the voice of the priest rises calmly above the storms of passion, fearlessly to proclaim the truth, and exhort to the good; that truth which elucidates and solves the gravest problems of human life; that good which no misfortune can take from us, which death but secures and renders immortal.
25. Consider the truths themselves which the priest if faithful to his ministry, must frequently inculcate. Ponder them one by one and dwell upon their inner power; for they make plain the influence of the priest, and how strong and beneficent it can be for the moral education, social concord and peaceful development of peoples. He brings home to young and old the fleeting nature of the present life; the perishableness of earthly goods; the value of spiritual goods and of the immortal soul; the severity of divine judgment; the spotless holiness of the divine gaze that reads the hearts of all; the justice of God, which “will render to every man according to his works.” These and similar lessons the priest teaches; a teaching fitted indeed to moderate the feverish search for pleasure, and the uncontrolled greed for worldly goods, that debase so much of modern life, and spur on the different classes of society to fight one another like enemies, instead of helping one another like friends. In this clash of selfish interest, and unleashed hate, and dark plans of revenge, nothing could be better or more powerful to help, than loudly to proclaim the “new commandment” of Christ. That commandment enjoins a love which extends to all, knows no barriers nor national boundaries, excludes no race, excepts not even its own enemies.
26. The experience of twenty centuries fully and gloriously reveals the power for good of the word of the priest. Being the faithful echo and reecho of the “word of God,” which “is living and effectual and more piercing than any two-edged sword,’ it too reaches “unto the division of the soul and spirit”; it awakens heroism of every kind, in every class and place, and inspires the self forgetting deeds of the most generous hearts. All the good that Christian civilization has brought into the world is due, at least radically, to the word and works of the Catholic priesthood. Such a past might, to itself, serve as sufficient guarantee for the future; but we have a still more secure guarantee, “a more firm prophetical word” in the infallible promises of Christ.
27. The work, too, of the Missions manifests most vividly the power of expansion given by divine grace to the Church. This work is advanced and carried on principally by priests. Pioneers of faith and love, at the cost of innumerable sacrifices, they extend and widen the Kingdom of God upon earth.
28. Finally, the priest, in another way, follows the example of Christ. Of Him it is written that He “passed the whole night in the prayer of God” and “ever lives to make intercession for us”; and like Him, the priest, is public and official intercessor of humanity before God; he has the duty and commission of offering to God in the name of the Church, over and above sacrifice strictly so-called, the “sacrifice of praise,” in public and official prayer; for several times each day with psalms, prayers and hymns taken in great part from the inspired books, he pays to God this dutiful tribute of adoration and thus performs his necessary office of interceding for humanity. And never did humanity, in its afflictions, stand more in need of intercession and of the divine help which it brings. Who can tell how many chastisements priestly prayer wards off from sinful mankind, how many blessings it brings down and secures?
29. If Our Lord made such magnificent and solemn promises even to private prayers, how much more powerful must be that prayer which is said ex officio in the name of the Church, the beloved Spouse of the Savior? The Christian, though in prosperity so often forgetful of God, yet in the depth of his heart keeps his confidence in prayer, feels that prayer is all powerful, and as by a holy instinct, in every distress, in every peril whether private or public, has recourse with special trust to the prayer of the priest. To it the unfortunate of every sort look for comfort; to it they have recourse, seeking divine aid in all the vicissitudes of this exile here on earth. Truly does the “priest occupy a place midway between God and human nature: from Him bringing to us absolving beneficence, offering our prayers to Him and appeasing the wrathful Lord.”
30. A last tribute to the priesthood is given by the enemies of the Church. For as We have said on a previous page, they show that they fully appreciate the dignity and importance of the Catholic priesthood, by directing against it their first and fiercest blows; since they know well how close is the tie that binds the Church to her priests. The most rabid enemies of the Catholic priesthood are today the very enemies of God; a homage indeed to the priesthood, showing it the more worthy of honor and veneration.
31. Most sublime, then, Venerable Brethren, is the dignity of the priesthood. Even the falling away of the few unworthy in the priesthood, however deplorable and distressing it may be, cannot dim the splendor of so lofty a dignity. Much less can the unworthiness of a few cause the worth and merit of so many to be overlooked; and how many have been, and are, in the priesthood, preeminent in holiness, in learning, in works of zeal, nay, even in martyrdom.
32. Nor must it be forgotten that personal unworthiness does not hinder the efficacy of a priest’s ministry. For the unworthiness of the minister does not make void the Sacraments he administers; since the Sacraments derive their efficacy from the Blood of Christ, independently of the sanctity of the instrument, or, as scholastic language expresses it, the Sacraments work their effect ex opere operato.
33. Nevertheless, it is quite true that so holy an office demands holiness in him who holds it. A priest should have a loftiness of spirit, a purity of heart and a sanctity of life befitting the solemnity and holiness of the office he holds. For this, as We have said, makes the priest a mediator between God and man; a mediator in the place, and by the command of Him who is “the one mediator of God and men, the man Jesus Christ.” The priest must, therefore, approach as close as possible to the perfection of Him whose vicar he is, and render himself ever more and more pleasing to God, by the sanctity of his life and of his deeds; because more than the scent of incense, or the beauty of churches and altars, God loves and accepts holiness. “They who are the intermediaries between God and His people,” says St. Thomas, “must bear a good conscience before God, and a good name among men.” On the contrary, whosoever handles and administers holy things, while blameworthy in his life, profanes them and is guilty of sacrilege: “They who are not holy ought not to handle holy things.”
34. For this reason even in the Old Testament God commanded His priests and levites: “Let them therefore be holy because I am also holy: the Lord who sanctify them.” In his canticle for the dedication of the temple, Solomon the Wise made this same request to the Lord in favor of the sons of Aaron: “Let Thy priests be clothed with justice: and let Thy saints rejoice.” So, Venerable Brethren, may we not ask with St. Robert Bellarmine: “If so great uprightness, holiness and lively devotion was required of priests who offered sheep and oxen, and praised God for the moral blessings; what, I ask, is required of those priests who sacrifice the Divine Lamb and give thanks for eternal blessings?” “A great dignity,” exclaims St. Lawrence Justinian, “but great too is the responsibility; placed high in the eyes of men they must also be lifted up to the peak of virtue before the eye of Him who seeth all; otherwise their elevation will be not to their merit but to their damnation.”
35. And surely every reason We have urged in showing the dignity of the Catholic priesthood does but reinforce its obligation of singular holiness; for as the Angelic Doctor teaches: “To fulfill the duties of Holy Orders, common goodness does not suffice; but excelling goodness is required; that they who receive Orders and are thereby higher in rank than the people, may also be higher in holiness.” The Eucharistic Sacrifice in which the Immaculate Victim who taketh away the sins of the world is immolated, requires in a special way that the priest, by a holy and spotless life, should make himself as far as he can, less unworthy of God, to whom he daily offers that adorable Victim, the very Word of God incarnate for love of us. Agnoscite quod agitis, imitamini quod tractatis, “realize what you are doing, and imitate what you handle,” says the Church through the Bishop to the deacons as they are about to be consecrated priests. The priest is also the almoner of God’s graces of which the Sacraments are the channels; how grave a reproach would it be, for one who dispenses these most precious graces were he himself without them, or were he even to esteem them lightly and guard them with little care.
36. Moreover, the priest must teach the truths of faith; but the truths of religion are never so worthily and effectively taught as when taught by virtue; because in the common saying: “Deeds speak louder than words.” The priest must preach the law of the Gospel; but for that preaching to be effective, the most obvious and, by the Grace of God, the most persuasive argument, is to see the actual practice of the law in him who preaches it. St. Gregory the Great gives the reason: “The voice which penetrates the hearts of the hearers, is the voice commended by the speaker’s own life; because what his word enjoins, his example helps to bring about.” This exactly is what Holy Scripture says of our Divine Savior: He “began to do and to teach.” And the crowds hailed Him, not so much because “never did man speak like this man,” but rather because “He hath done all things well.” On the other hand, they who “say and do not,” practicing not what they preach, become like the scribes and Pharisees. And Our Lord’s rebuke to the other hand, they who “say and do not,” practicing not what they preach, the word of God, was yet administered publicly, in the presence of the listening crowd: “The Scribes and Pharisees have sitten on the chair of Moses. All things therefore whatsoever they shall say to you observe and do: but according to their work do ye not.” A preacher who does not try to ratify by his life’s example the truth he preaches, only pulls down with one hand what he builds up with the other. On the contrary, God greatly blesses the labor of those heralds of the gospel who attend first to their own holiness; they see their apostolate flourishing and fruitful, and in the day of the harvest, “coming they shall come with joyfulness carrying in their sheaves.”
tl:dr
I lived in a Dominican Convent for 3 years and am STUNNED there is so much here I never heard about before.
Keep this resource handy, was critical when we got locked out of churches, etc.
livemass.net (approved Traditional Latin Mass, FSSP). Mass daily from around the world. Also EWTN.com.
Prayer to the Holy Spirit is amazingly effective.
Thank you Holy Spirit for looking after me through so many trials and tribulations in my 66 years. May I always recognize and acknowledge the Living Angels you have delivered to guide me. May I always listen quietly to every Word you speak to my mind and heart. Amen.
(section) 766 The Church is born primarily of Christ’s total self-giving for our salvation, anticipated in the institution of the Eucharist and fulfilled on the cross. “The origin and growth of the Church are symbolized by the blood and water which flowed from the open side of the crucified Jesus.”171 “For it was from the side of Christ as he slept the sleep of death upon the cross that there came forth the ‘wondrous sacrament of the whole Church.'”172
……. As Eve was formed from the sleeping Adam’s side, so the Church was born from the pierced heart of Christ hanging dead on the cross.173
The Church – revealed by the Holy Spirit
[From the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Vatican Internet site]
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Often and correctly called, ‘Holy Mother Church.’ (By many)
Isn’t the typology that the Catholic Church shows us wonderful? Just like the fact that Adam and Eve were banned from eating from the Tree of Life after they sinned, Jesus Christ’s death gave us the ability to eat from the “Tree of Life” again. Jesus is the “Fruit” hanging from the cross, the “Tree”. If we eat His flesh and drink His blood (worthily), we may gain eternal life!
I’m moved to tears Menagerie. Thank for the reminder that we are well equipped. Praise the Lord.
God bless you…and the whole CTH crew.
God bless all humans, standing on scripture… God protect us from the weapons formed against us.
I’m trying more and more to not just be faithful, but to live my faith and in small ways share and spread the Faith through acts and words. Readings like this at CTH are helpful for me. I feel the more we see the Faith in lay settings, the more it becomes a part of us. Just my simple thoughts. Thanks CTH!
Exactly!
Amen, Amen, Amen!!
Come Holy Spirit!
Praying for a revival in America, that the Holy Spirit will pour out His gifts on us, and that we will use these charisms to do good.
Come Holy Spirit, come.
Indeed, ALL things are possible through the Trinity pouring out the Holy Spirit upon us.
Jesus ask, “what do you want”? “Do you want to be healed”? “Do you believe in the Son of Man”?
Answer wisely. America is not beyond redemption!!
Amen!
Dear Heavenly Father, on this day, 2000 years ago, you inaugurated the church by having the Holy Spirit indwell in your believers. We rejoice that you have allowed us, men and women, Jew and Gentile, to experience new life. Thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit, our comforter, our convictor, our guide, and so many other things. And may we continue to celebrate this day until you return again. Amen.
I thought of this song:
Beautiful!
Thank you!
Romans 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
Thank you Menagerie. When I struggle in prayer or with a difficult Spiritual matter I turn to this verse and ask the Holy Spirit to pray for me.
I have offered this before: Veni, Creator Spiritus, a Medieval Latin hymn to the Holy Spirit, was used by Gustav Mahler in the opening movement of his Symphony #8.
A more scintillating and uplifting version would be hard to find: the final minutes are angelic!
My priest suggested I use this hymn as a prayer when I was struggling, as I mentioned above. Thanks for the reminder, I have long since fallen out of the practice of using it.
You are quite welcome!
Here is the text, originally by a monk and, later, archbishop (of Mainz) Hrabanus Maurus:
Veni, creator Spiritus,
mentes tuorum visita,
imple superna gratia,
quae tu creasti, pectora.
Come, Holy Ghost, Creator, come
from thy bright heav’nly throne;
come, take possession of our souls,
and make them all thine own.
Qui diceris Paraclitus,
donum Dei altissimi,
fons vivus, ignis, caritas,
et spiritalis unctio.
Thou who art called the Paraclete,
best gift of God above,
the living spring, the living fire,
sweet unction and true love.
Tu septiformis munere,
dextrae Dei tu digitus,
tu rite promissum Patris,
sermone ditans guttura.
Thou who art sevenfold in thy grace,
finger of God’s right hand;
his promise, teaching little ones
to speak and understand.
Accende lumen sensibus,
infunde amorem cordibus,
infirma nostri corporis
virtute firmans perpeti.
O guide our minds with thy blest light,
with love our hearts inflame;
and with thy strength, which ne’er decays,
confirm our mortal frame.
Hostem repellas longius
pacemque dones protinus;
ductore sic te praevio
vitemus omne noxium.
Far from us drive our deadly foe;
true peace unto us bring;
and through all perils lead us safe
beneath thy sacred wing.
Per te sciamus da Patrem
noscamus atque Filium,
te utriusque Spiritum
credamus omni tempore.
Through thee may we the Father know,
through thee th’eternal Son,
and thee the Spirit of them both,
thrice-blessed three in One.
Deo Patri sit gloria,
et Filio qui a mortuis
surrexit, ac Paraclito,
in saeculorum saecula.
Amen.
All glory to the Father be,
with his coequal Son;
the same to thee, great Paraclete,
while endless ages run.
Amen.
tl:dr
How sad! With practice you could increase your attention span and reading speed! 😉
Thank you for printing this with translation. We sang this in Latin this morning at Mass.
You are quite welcome, and I am gratified to read of a church still singing this in Latin! 🙂
(17) “Souls who spread the honor of My mercy I shield through their entire lives as a tender mother her infant, and at the hour of death I will not be a Judge for them, but the Merciful Savior. At that last hour, a soul has nothing with which to defend itself except My mercy. Happy is the soul that during its lifetime immersed itself in the Fountain of Mercy, because justice will have no hold on it.” —Diary 1075
https://www.ncregister.com/blog/17-things-jesus-revealed-to-st-faustina-about-divine-mercy
Re-reading her Diary.
The Divine Mercy chaplet is a favorite devotion of mine.
It is almost 3:00 p.m. here in Marysville, Kansas. I am preparing to pray the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy now. It is a prayer to God the Father for All Mankind.
Thank you for this wonderful site.
May God bless you and all who partake of its graces and blessings.
A favourite of mine also and a prayer that is simple to say and gives tremendous hope in God’s mercy
Recently, I have been very intentional in seeking a filling and manifestation of The Spirit. I have known of and looking back, have had encounters. Desiring a more purposeful and intimate relationship with The Holy Spirit. Today’s reading is timely. Thank you!
Come, Holy Spirit, come!
And from your celestial home
Shed a ray of light divine!
Come, Father of the poor!
Come, source of all our store!
Come, within our bosoms shine.
You, of comforters the best;
You, the soul’s most welcome guest;
Sweet refreshment here below;
In our labour, rest most sweet;
Grateful coolness in the heat;
Solace in the midst of woe.
O most blessed Light divine,
Shine within these hearts of yours,
And our inmost being fill!
Where you are not, we have naught,
Nothing good in deed or thought,
Nothing free from taint of ill.
Heal our wounds, our strength renew;
On our dryness pour your dew;
Wash the stains of guilt away:
Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
Guide the steps that go astray.
On the faithful, who adore
And confess you, evermore
In your sevenfold gift descend;
Give them virtue’s sure reward;
Give them your salvation, Lord;
Give them joys that never end. Amen.
Alleluia.
Pentecost is 50 days after Passover.
Jahaziel, many people don’t realize “Easter” was a pagan holiday. Not unlike all the psy ops over the years twisting and pushing us to believe things, Passover is correct for all believers in Christ.
Easter is not and was not a pagan holiday.
My heart grows heavy with the daily outrages, I find I cannot look anymore.
Thank you Menagerie for reminding us all of what is THE MAIN THING on this, our Lord’s day.
The gifts of the Holy Spirit can be found in Galatians 5:22., “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
It’s a bit old school, but there are what are called The Collects, or meditations that were written for use each Sunday, and are still available online such as at Lectionary Central,
http://www.lectionarycentral.com/index.html (that site being an Episcopalian one).
Tradition holds that the Collect for Pentecost is to be said daily for six days, until Trinity Sunday, to prepare the individual heart for the coming of the Holy Spirit or the perception of the coming of the Christ into the individual’s awareness.
There are actually two such meditations, or collects for Pentecost Sunday:
“God, who as at this time did teach the hearts of thy faithful people, by the sending to them the light of thy Holy Spirit: Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through the merits of Jesus Christ our saviour, who lives and reigns with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen”
and
“O God, who makes us glad with the yearly remembrance of the coming of the Holy Spirit upon thy disciples in Jerusalem: Grant that we who celebrate before thee the Feast of the Pentecost may continue thine for ever, and daily increase in thy Holy Spirit until we come to thine eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen”
The idea being to use the daily discipline to prep our hearts and minds to be cognizant of, to listen “mentally for the still small voice of the Comforter to speak in our hearts” and be our guide.
Thank you for sharing this.
Thanks for the reminder Bessie
Any pre 1962 Catholic missal will have the Collects in the propers for each day. It is sung or read right after the Gloria in the Traditional Latin Mass, aka the Tridentine Rite or the Gregorian Rite.
The Traditional Latin Mass was said by the early Church as taught by Our Lord to His apostles in the upper room on Jovis Mandatun or Maundy Thursday, and then codified by Pope St. Pius V in 1570 as the only Mass to be said in all Catholic Churches until the end of time in his Papal Bull, Quo Primum.
Time ended in 1969 it seems, as the Novus Ordo Missae was forced on the Church by modernists at that time, leading us to the disaster we have with the current anti-Pope doing his best to destroy the last vestiges of Tradition in the Church. Ora pro nobis Sancta Dei Genetrix.
Commentary by Bishop Robert Barron on the gospel passage above.
Friends, in today’s Gospel, on the evening after his Resurrection, the Lord appeared to his disciples and greeted them, saying “Peace be with you.”
According to the Gospel accounts, the risen Jesus typically did two things: he showed his wounds and he pronounced a word of peace. The wounds of Jesus are a continual and salutary reminder of our sin. The author of life appeared in our midst and we killed him, and this gives the lie to any attempt at self-justification or exculpation.
But the risen Lord never leaves us in guilt; instead, he speaks the word “Shalom,” peace. This is the peace that the world cannot give, for it is the Shalom that comes from the heart of God.
In his letter to the Romans, Paul said, “I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” How does Paul know this? He knows it because we killed God, and God returned in forgiving love. He knows it because the enemies of Israel have been defeated.
My teen daughter and I are working through the book of Revelation from a Bible Study Fellowship study from a few years ago. It’s a great recap and wonderful for preparing her Spirit for what lies ahead for us believers. It settles our Spirits, readies us, and abates fear.
With the celebration of Pentecost, I humbly share a portion of our study:
“The “seven spirits before the throne” of God may point to the comprehensive ministry of the Holy Spirit:
“The Spirit of the Lord (1) will rest on him – the (2) Spirit of Wisdom and of (3) Understanding, the (4) Spirit of counsel and of (5) might; the (6) Spirit of Knowledge; and the (7) fear of the Lord.”
Revelation 1:4 “Grace and peace to you from Him Who Is, and Who Was, and Who Is to come, and from the seven spirits before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.”
Jesus Made Us Priests
The seven commissions that make us complete in Him:
“God gives us amazing privilege to (1) speak on His behalf and (2) represent Him to others. We (3) communicate the gospel to those who have not yet received God’s grace. We (4) extend God’s mercy and (5) compassion to people in need. We (6) teach others what God has taught us. We (7) represent people before God as we intercede in prayer.”
Shalom my brothers and sisters – “Christian peace includes the Hebrew sense of “shalom” wholeness and a sense of complete well-being.”
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah! Come, Lord Jesus, come! As voices crying out from under the altar “When, Lord, when?”
The church doesn’t begin at Pentecost. Pentecost/Shavuot is the anniversary of receiving of Torah.
The church begins with John the Babtist. He prepared the foundation with the Gospel of repentance. Jesus is the Chief Cornerstone. The apostles and prophets make up the foundation and we as living or lively stones the wall and building by the Spirit.
Thank you, Dennis Hall, your first sentence is exactly that, and much, much more! The God of Avraham, Yitzach and Ya’cov, the Holy One of Israel teaches us all about Himself, and the Mashiach. through each of HIS festivals.
Thank you Menagerie for the reminder we rely on the strength of God. Our walk in faith is to be tested greatly in the days to come… but, we are carried by Jesus throughout. This Bards podcast reminds us of what is to come and how we shall walk to sustain ourselves… only through the strength of Jesus.
Please take some time to listen, it will provide the reminder of where we will get our strength:
https://www.bards.fm/e/ep1466_bardsfm-fishers-of-men/
I love that you highlight, and celebrate, Biblical events/days that I have not known to be honored (on specific days) in my lifetime of church attendance.
I learn a lot from you, Menagerie. Always something beautiful, and life giving in your writing.
Thank you for you kind words, but I can’t take credit. I’m just sharing the Liturgical Calendar of the Church,, which I had never heard of until I joined the Catholic Church. Now I find it to be the central point of my life in many ways.
Each year a new Church year begins on the first Sunday of Advent, either in the last days of November or the first few of December. Then we have the Christmas season, Epiphany, Lent, the Easter season which concluded today. Now we enter a long stretch of chat the Church calls Ordinary Time, as we learn through the readings about the unfolding of Christ’s mission through his apostles and disciples in the building of His Church.
Each year I am able to enter into the entire life of Chris, from the Annunciation, the birth, life, death, Resurrection, and the story of God’s people and his Church. Each year this guided journey teaches me more, directs me spiritually. Not only Catholics use a liturgical calendar and worship. I think it is of great value.
My favorite hymn has always been: O Come Holy Ghost our Souls Inspire. however, I couldn’t find a suitable video to post.
The way some music is presented is very off-putting. A choir singing this beautiful hymn is not listed under the name of church or choir etc anymore. The recordings/videos are on, I assume. the ugly commercial-looking websites that pop up on the search. One church site stuck a big ‘We use cookies’ in my face, demanding acceptance.
One video at St Paul’s Cathedral , seemed more interested in the people in the pews, than the service.. So I would rather not post those. I hope you find a beautiful recording of this ancient hymn and love it as much as I do.
I stopped what I was doing and pondered the verse and your words, and I instantly realized I must do this more often.
Thank you and God Bless
Why were they in fear of the jew(judean) ? Becase they wanted to kill them. They were not from the house of Judah. They were Edomites that were converted to Phariseeism(fake religion using the Hebrew religion) Revelation 2:9 …I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.“…Josephus’ Antiquities 13:9:1:
“… Hyrcanus took also Dora and Marissa, cities of Idumea, and subdued all the Idumeans(edomites); and permitted them to stay in that country, if they would circumcise their genitals, and make use of the laws of the Jews
Josephus’ Wars 2:8:2, states:
“For there are three philosophical sects among the Judeans. The followers of the first of whom are the Pharisees*; of the second the Sadducees; and the third sect, who pretends to a severer discipline, are called Essenes. These last are Judah by birth, and seem to have a greater affection for one another than the other sects have.”
(These first two are the ones responsible for the death of Jesus.)
Another traditional Pentecost hymn, Come Holy Ghost, by the Singing Nuns:
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus:
6Who, existing in the form of God,
did not consider equality with God
something to be grasped,a
7but emptied Himself,
taking the form of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8And being found in appearance as a man,
He humbled Himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross.
9Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place
and gave Him the name above all names,
10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2
God bless us all..
we found out this week, my husband Rob has cancer. We are scared . i recently lost part of a leg and we have been adjusting to a new life. now, we have cancer , staring us right in the face. we are Christians and our Faith is strong. Learning ways to pray only can help in these times. Pray for him treehouse friends. I dont comment much , but i need you all. please.
thank you
I promise I’ll be praying for both of you. You can keep us posted in the Prayer Thread.
Praying for you both, sunshine.
Joining you in prayer for the good health and healing of you and your husband Rob, sunshineday13 !
Sunshine, will keep you and your husband Rob in my prayers for good health and well being.
When the two of you pray together, please mention to the Lord Jesus that you are aware of what He said: “When two
or more are gathered in My Name, I AM with you.”
Also, please always pray in the Most Holy Name of Jesus to God the Father. He will hear your prayers.
Praying for you right now!
Im praying for you that his Spirit will lift you up and give you healing and hope.
There is no place so deep that he can not reach. He will certainly not abandon you or any of us who ask him for mercy and help.
Don’t listen to the Fake News, listen to the Holy Spirit!❤️🙌❤️
Jew comes from Judean or the greek ioudaios which means Judean, which describes a location of origin not a people.
The term Ioudaios is used in revelation 3:9 the term for Israelites in Greek is Ἰσραηλίτης.
The biblical “Jews” or more correctly the Israelites were descended from the 12 sons of Jacob and the bible refers to them as such b’nei yisrael meaning children of Israel (Who is Jacob).
The people who currently occupy Israel are not these people they are the Edomites or in New testament Greek Idumeans who are descended of Esau, brother of Jacob, who sold his birth right and mongrelized with Cannites, his people warred with the Israelite kingdom and the kingdom of Judea and eventually settled parts of southern Judea before the time of the Roman occupation.
The Israelites followed Jesus and became Christians as already told, the Edomites who are of Esau never worshipped Yahweh instead worshipped the Babylonian idols and principally Moloch that the Cannites adopted. These people are the Pharisees, the Rabbinical Jews, the Diaspora Jews, who followed the false prophet and false messiah Bar Kokbha, they are liars and deceivers who claim to be of the biblical Israelites, who claim to be the same thing but are not.
When Jesus tells them that the father does not know them, that he does not know them and that they are not children of Abraham but the spawn of Satan that is because it is historically true these people are not the legacy of Abraham and they do not practice the religion of the Israelites, they worship a demon, who demands child sacrifice and are a completely different people.
The term Jew only refers to them, it does not refer to the chosen people who worship Yahweh, held the covenant and then followed Christ.
The ancient Israelites are no more, they became Christians because the Christ brought a new covenant.
https://archive.fo/XFH29
Today and tomorrow Jews throughout the world celebrate the festival of weeks, the giving of the Torah; we appreciate their accepting of this tremendous gift and burden. Am Israel Chai — the nation of Israel lives, the eternal nation. Yes?
Upon reflection, I am going to report your lashon hara to the moderators. Open your heart and your mind will follow…
Leviticus 23 lists 7 feasts to be observed:
Passover
Unleavened bread
First fruits
Weeks
Trumpets
Atonement
Tabernacles/booths
They’re prophetic: Jesus fulfilled the 1st 3 (Last Supper was Passover), & Pentecost was the feast of weeks.
The last 3?
“… the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised …” – 1 Cor 15:52
“…the day of judgment…” – 2 Peter 2:9
Finally, “and they all lived happily ever after” 😉
“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” – John 14:3
Nope, I hunted for ugly Pentecost pictures that would offend Rumaggi. Nailed it!
Truly a sad comment on a beautiful expression of receiving the Holy Spirit. I bet you The Father and our Lord Jesus are very happy with it, someone put their Heart into it, to express the Love that our Creator and Savior have for Us. Shame on you, you owe Menagerie and all CTH and apology.
Made it to Mass this morning. Tired from keeping my older kids entertained and active, tired from the newborn being a bit colicy last night. Tired from helping my wife while she recovers from the birth. Tired from this insane world. Listened to my priest’s sermon and was invigorated. Yeah got the aches and pains of a near 40 year old dad but going to church for his Pentecost message was amazing. I had strayed from the Church for too long but came back over the last couple years. It took me awhile to separate the perfect Message from the imperfect messengers. God Bless this site for these posts and have a blessed Pentecost Sunday all.
I am with you….God bless.
Menagerie, your witness is reduced by the Jew-hater, Jimmy, below . Pls check his “enthusiasm” — thnks
Edit @ the Jew-hater above
Best to ban me — exec decision — but no more dinero — PEACE!
Its kind of like when the scripture says make a joyful noise.
The point is that the Holy Spirit has come and inhabited believers for 2 millennium. I sometime feel sorry for the grief we must cause him , yet he will not abandon us. That faithful hound of heaven.
Thank you Jesus for such an awesome gift.
Joshua 1:5
No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Matthew 19:26
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Luke 10:19
I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.Let us use what Our Lord God has given us in these what seems to be troubling times,for we are all not here by chance but by the hand of Him who sent us for such a time is this.Father,we thank you that you have given us the power and authority to bring about the miraculous in this nation and upon the earth,in Jesus Christ name,Amen.
Amidst the struggle and chaos (currently) and of any time period— there is still power and light- isn’t there?
May we all feel the touch of the Holy Spirit.
Amen!
The Orthodox Christian Church will celebrate Pentecost next Sunday.
I am an Anglican. I am sorry not to see any representation from a protestant in the discussion. The reformation happened for good reasons and those reasons stand fast today. Brilliant men: John Calvin, Thomas Cranmer and Martin Luther took issue with many Papist practices such as transubstantiation and apostolic succession not to mention paying indulgences and asking for sanctification from mortal men. There are more but those are crucial. I find it sanctimonious that RCs consider it the “mother church”. That title rightly belongs to the Eastern Orthodox Church if any. Dismissing my Anglican priest as not able to sanctify the eucharist because he cannot prove apostolic succession is insulting. I dare say your local parish priest can’t either. That would only happen if he had access to the Vatican archives which won’t happen any time soon. The Holy Spirit is very much alive in my Anglican Church along with the rest of the Trinity. I welcome anyone who believes that Jesus truly overcame death for our redemption to join us in worship in the Word, as written in the Bible, the incontrovertible Word of God.
Obviously I disagree with pretty much everything you’ve said, but I’m glad you commented. I never intended any of my posts to be for Catholics only. We celebrate our faith, yes, and I share my beliefs. Whatever faith I have, I do not intend to be one Jesus would classify as lukewarm.
I welcome and enjoy comments from people with different faiths, people of different denominations. I am sorry that we offended you, of course it is understandable. I’m just not sure how we can all profess our faith honestly without that offense to someone.
Jesus said:
“Turn the Stone and look beneath it…I am There.”
You don’t need brick and mortar for a church.
I will always remember when I first spoke in tongues.
Come, Holy Ghost, Creator Blessed and in our hearts, take up Thy rest and fill our hearts which Thou hast made
It is a pleasant surprise to discover a Catholic witness to the church’s origin at Pentecost because nearly every Christian denomination claims a lineal descent from ancient Israel.
This was the error of Puritan theology. They failed to maintain a distinction between Israel and the church.
Consequently, their doctrine of the essential unity of the two led to Unitarianism. This led to their children becoming advocates for the Unitary State.
To this day, New England is a hotbed of Unitarian conformity. This threatens to obliterate all distinctions between creeds, races and the TWO DISTINCT sexes.
Not really. The church was already existent before Pentecost and all through Christ’s earthly ministry. The church, the called-out assembly, began with John the Baptist. Every single one of the 12 were baptized by John, as was Jesus himself. Afer he came up out of the water, a voice came from heaven “this is my Beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.”