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(Acts 2:1-11;\xa0\xa0 Ps.104:1,24,29-31,34;\xa0\xa0 1Cor.12:3b-7,12-13;\xa0\xa0 Jn.20:19-23) \xa0 \u201cSuddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were.\u201d \xa0 What our first reading captures in all its dramatic moment, David\u2019s psalm declares in clarity \u2013 \u201cWhen you send forth your spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth\u201d \u2013 and our gospel defines in Jesus\u2019 word and action with His apostles: \u201cHe breathed on them and said, \u2018Receive the Holy Spirit.\u2019\u201d\xa0 The Spirit comes from heaven above, through the only Son, to redeem, renew, and strengthen all on the face of the earth. \u201cAnd they were all filled with the Holy Spirit,\u201d and they all spoke \u201cof the mighty acts of God,\u201d and each one of those gathered there \u201cfrom every nation\u2026 heard them speaking in his own language.\u201d\xa0 For the language in which they spoke was the language of the Spirit, the language all understand.\xa0 \u201cFor in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body\u2026 and we are all given to drink of one Spirit,\u201d and what does this Spirit say but, \u201cJesus is Lord,\u201d the truth to which all are called, for which every heart yearns. And though all find life in \u201cthe same Spirit,\u201d though all declare as one that Jesus is Lord, for each of us \u201cthere are different kinds of spiritual gifts.\u201d\xa0 As David exclaims, \u201cHow manifold are your works, O Lord!\u201d\xa0 And is not this call to \u201cdifferent forms of service\u201d revealed in the fact that \u201cthere appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each of them\u201d?\xa0 Each is thereby given his own \u201ctheme,\u201d his own song to sing to please the Lord, and our prayer should therefore always be, \u201cMay the Lord be glad in His works!\u201d\xa0 (And for those who deny that man has been given the gift of forgiving sins, do they not read the Lord\u2019s straightforward words to His disciples at this most decisive moment: \u201cWhose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained\u201d?) Praise God for the gifts He imparts to all His children.\xa0 Praise Him for the peace He leaves us and the mission on which He sends us.\xa0 But praise Him most especially for the breath of the Holy Spirit which animates our very beings, for \u201cif [the Lord] take away [our] breath, [we] perish, and return to [our] dust,\u201d but with this Spirit we share in the very power of God. \xa0 Fill this house, O Lord, with the power of your Spirit. Let the Church always proclaim your praise. Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "There Is No End to Life" (final part) from Thoroughfare, seventh album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, let us be baptized in your Spirit, renewed for the proclamation of your love.\xa0 YHWH, comes the driving wind from Heaven, the Spirit Jesus breathes upon His apostles, and so we are made your sons, dear Father, and declare your glory unto all.\xa0 May your Church with one voice offer you due praise and teach the nations of your eternal call. We must leave our sins behind and accept the gifts of the Holy Spirit, living as one with the Son of God.\xa0 If we keep His commandments, we shall dwell with you forever, O Father God.\xa0 For He is with you and through Him you send the Spirit; all who desire to be your children you bless with purging fire this holy day. Now the promised gift of the Spirit falls upon our immortal souls and we are refreshed and made new creatures, formed in the image of Jesus, your Son.\xa0 One you make us in Spirit and Body, free from all the works of the flesh.\xa0 Your Son stands in our midst and offers us His peace; the Advocate now testifies to all Truth\u2026 Come and make your dwelling in us, O glorious LORD and God.