Pentecost Sunday TheChurchwasbornonthefirstPentecost,andisreborneverytimewearerenewedintheSpiritofPentecost.

heJewishpeoplecelebratedPentecostforcenturiesbeforeitbecamethefeastofthedescentoftheHolySpirit.Itwasa

celebrationofthefiftiethdayofPassover,afeastrequiringeveryJewishman,womanandchildtocometotheTempleatJerusalem.ThisexplainsthelargecrowdpresenttherefiftydaysafterJesusrosefromthedead.TheyusedthistimetocommemoratethegivingoftheTenCommandmentsoftheLawtoMosesontopofMountSinai,whereGodrevealedhimselfinwindandfire–thesamewayGodrevealshisSpiritatPentecost.

InJohn’sGospel,JesusappearsintheUpperRoomonthatfirstEasternight,breathinghisspiritonhisApostlesandsaying,Peacebewithyou.Inthatmoment,Jesustakesawaytheirfearsthathisbodymayhavebeenstolen,andheassuresthemthatheisbothrisenandglorified.ThiseventdrawsourmindsbacktothebookofGenesis(2:7)whereGodcreatedAdam,buthedidnothavelifeuntilGodbreathedhisSpiritintohisnostrils.IntheUpperRoom,theApostleshadlongsincebeenchargedwiththetaskofpreachingandbuildingGod’skingdom,buttheydidnothavethecapabilityoffulfillingthismissionuntilJesusbreathedhisGod-givenpoweruponthem.

JustasGodcreatedAdamandgavehimlife,sotoo,Christ,whoisGod,createdtheChurchandgiveshertheSpiritwhoguidesherandprotectsher.Adamwascreatedtoknow,loveandserveGod.Hedisobeyedandbecameameremortal.TheChurchwasinstitutedbyGodtohelpallhumanbeingstopickupwhereAdamleftoff–tomakeGodknown,lovedandservedbyall.Inasmuchassheobeysthisgreatcommission,theChurchleadsusbacktoimmortality.Inourcreed,weprofessfaithin“theHolySpirit,theLord,thegiveroflife.”LifeiswhattheSpirithasgiventotheChurch,andthroughbaptismandconfirmation,thissamegiftisgiventoallwhobelieve.

AtPentecost,GodcomestousasSpirit,callingallpeopletoanewwayoflife.HundredsofnewdisciplesbeganthatdaytoliveaccordingtotheSpiritofGod–livingincharity,joy,peace,patience,goodness,faith,mildnessandtemperance.

JesussaidatEaster,AstheFatherhassentme,soIsendyou(Jn.20:21).Inword,windandfire,asinthebodyandblood,JesusgivesushisSpiritonceagain,renewinginusthatsamecommandheoncegavetohisfirstdisciples–thatwegoouttoalltheworldandmakedisciples.Today,wesaywithbelieversthroughouttime,Veni,SancteSpiritus,Come,HolySpirit–comeintoourhearts,comeintoourparishes,comeintoourhomes,andrenewthefaceoftheearth.

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Daily Reading Monday,June5Tb1:3,2:1b-8;Mk12:1-12Tuesday,June6Tb2:9-14;Mk12:13-17Wednesday,June7Tb3:1-11a,16-17a;Mk12:18-27Thursday,June8Tb6:10-11,7:1bcde,9-17,8:4-9a;Mk12:28-34Friday,June9Tb11:5-17;Mk12:35-37Saturday,June10Tb12:1,5-15,20;Mk12:38-44Sunday,June11Ex34:4b-6,8-9;2Cor13:11-13;Jn3:16-18

Collection Lastweekend’scollection:$11,939.00**IncludedinthisnumberisFaithDirect,electronicgiving.Theweeklyaverageforelectronicgivingis$5,476.00.ForaneasiermoreconsistentwayofsupportingChristtheKing,pleaseconsiderusingFaithDirectatwww.faithdirect.net.OurparishcodeisNJ658.Second Collection Next Week NextweekendisourmonthlysecondcollectionforProjectFaith,ourDiocesanAssessment.Yourgenerosityinhelpingusmeetthisobligationisgreatlyappreciated.

Take 5 Wehavemuchtobethankfulfor,andsongsofpraiseandthanksgivingareoneofthebestwaystoexpressourgratitude,especiallyduringourliturgies.ThisweekourMusicMinistryoffersacommunionmeditationcalled“SingoftheLord’sGoodness”,asongthatisnotonlyawonderfulandupliftingsongofpraise,butitisdistinctlymemorableforitsuniquerhythmpatternoffivebeatspermeasure.Foranywhoarefansofthenotedjazzmusician,DaveBrubeck,thispiecewillbeastrongreminderofhismostpopularandwell-knowncomposition,“TakeFive.”Thefour-handpianoaccompanimentaddsanextradimensiontothesong.ThankstoSusanBarba,ChristineAnderson,MatthewPeacockandGeorgeBarryforthevocals,andthankstoLiviaGalantefortheextrahandsonthepiano.