Pentecost
In our reading, the apostles were gathered together in one room. All of a sudden they heard a sound like a strong wind that seemed to fill the whole house. The saw what looked like tongues of fire coming and resting on each of them. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and started speaking in other languages. Visitors in Jerusalem were amazed that they were able to understand what the apostles were saying in their own languages.
In our gospel, the disciples were gathered in a room after the women had been to the tomb of Jesus. They locked the doors because they were afraid of the people who crucified Jesus. Jesus came into the room and said “Peace be with you!” He showed them his hands and his side and the disciples were filled with joy. Jesus said again, “Peace be with you! As God has sent me to you, now I am sending you to others.” He breathed the Holy Spirit on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of anyone, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgive.”
Special Saint/Feast Day: St. Philip Neri – May 26
Philip Neri was born in Italy in 1515. As a child his nickname was “Good little Phil.” He was always so cheerful and friendly that everyone he met loved him. Philip went to Rome as a teenager and he studied theology and philosophy for three years. He was a good student and very active Christian. He lived simply and worked hard. He helped poor children, spent time with the sick, and was a friend to people who were troubled and lonely.
Philip had the call to be a priest and was ordained in 1551. He would hear confessions for several hours every day and the lines of people who came to him grew longer. He was never in a hurry and he never ran out of patience and gentleness.
People began to notice that he could read their minds at times and sometimes he could predict the future.
Father Philip became known as “the apostle of Rome.” He died at the age of 80 years in 1595.
Cheerfulness is an important part of holiness. St. Philip Neri’s story teaches us that the way to be really happy is to put God and other people first in our lives. If we only think about ourselves we’ll never feel satisfied.