GOSPEL: John 17:20-26
I pray not only for these but also for those who through their teaching will come to believe in me. May they all be one, just as, Father, you are in me and I am in you, so that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe it was you who sent me. I have given them the glory you gave to me, that they may be one as we are one. With me in them and you in me, may they be so perfected in unity that the world will recognise that it was you who sent me and that you have loved them as you have loved me. Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, so that they may always see my glory which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Father, Upright One, the world has not known you, but I have known you, and these have known that you have sent me. I have made your name known to them and will continue to make it known, so that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and so that I may be in them.

REFLECTION
In this week's Gospel, Jesus continued his prayer for his disciples. Clearly he was concerned about them and their welfare. Jesus had experienced the tension and conflict that arose among his disciples at times. He knew that the path ahead of them would be painful and difficult. He also realized that if they were divided or at odds with one another, they would not be able to carry out His mission.

Jesus prayed not only for his disciples but he also prayed for all who would believe in him, no matter what century or nation the believers would live in. Jesus longs for you and me to be one with him and with God, just as he longed for his disciples to experience this loving unity.

Can you remember a time in your life when you had a deep and loving sense of Jesus being present with you? Take a moment and remember that time. What emotions did you experience: awe, joy, confusion, or perhaps elation?

These moments of intimacy with Jesus are gift and grace. We cannot manufacture these experiences. However, we can open ourselves to them and we can ask to be graced with such love and peace. Today may we be open and attentive to the ways Jesus may come to us. At times Jesus comes in the most unexpected people or small happenings. Stay alert and be watchful! (Sr Kristine Anne Harpenau)

PENTECOST SUNDAY
This Sunday we celebrate Pentecost Sunday. The word Pentecost is Greek and it means "50th day." Fifty days after Easter Sunday, we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and their followers, and the beginning of their Earthly ministry to make disciples of all nations.

Pentecost is also a Jewish holiday, which the Jews use to celebrate the end of Passover. Jews celebrate the gift of the law to Moses at Mt. Sinai on this day. But we, as Catholics celebrate the birth of our Church.

At Pentecost, the Apostles and their followers were gathered in a room. Jews from all over the world were gathered with Peter, the leader of the Apostles and the Eleven. At this time, a great wind blew and a flame appeared as a tongue of fire, which split itself into many individual flames above the heads of all those present. The Holy Spirit came upon these people and each began to speak in tongues. Despite the fact many had no common language, they were perfectly able to understand one another. 

Others who were not so blessed, accused those speaking in tongues of being drunk, but Peter arose and addressed the crowd, explaining that it was only 9 o'clock, and that this phenomenon was not intoxication, but rather this was the work of the Holy Spirit, prophesied in the scripture.

Peter then called all those present to be baptised and about three thousand people were baptised that day.

These people were among the first Catholics, and Peter is the first pope of the Catholic Church.

The symbols of Pentecost are the flame, wind, and the dove, which represents the Holy Spirit. The colour of Pentecost is red and the priest wears red vestments on this day. Parishioners are also invited to wear red on this day. Red decorations as well as celebrations are appropriate, similar to any other birthday. Special prayers are often said just for Pentecost. www.catholic.org

God Bless,
Warren Ziebowski
Religious Education Coordinator