Daily Gospel Reflection for May 19, 2024: Pentecost Sunday

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: John 20:19-23

Jesus breathed on them! He moved the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, in to the air that encompassed all the disciples. His breath is the very breath of God, and is named the Paraclete, which means to be called alongside. Breath, like the wind, cannot be divided; it is air—fully encompassing, fully life-giving.

Breath cannot be seen except in the cold or fog, or when, like the wind, it moves an object. Movement of air in the garden is essential to reduce diseases. The movement of the Holy Spirit breathes holiness into us and reduces the disease of sin.

The priest St. Hesychius of Jerusalem is credited as having written, “Let the name of Jesus adhere to your breath, and then you will know the blessings of stillness.” Breath prayer is a centuries-old Catholic tradition and follows the pray-without-ceasing concept. Offered below is a prayer of this type, to be personalized as you place yourself before our God.

Ponder:

We often cannot see the outward sign of our own little sins let alone those of others; we may see their effects in life. Where this day did your own sin affect the movement of love? Also, where this day did the breathe of the Holy Spirit moved you to love better?

Pray:

Holy Spirit, come now, come as You will. I breathe in [possibility, hope, ...], I breathe out [gratitude, trust, ...].

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St. Hesychius of Jerusalem is credited as having written “Let the name of Jesus adhere to your breath, and then you will know the blessings of stillness.”#DailyGospel

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