Bulletin Inserts / Small Group
Pentecost (A)
Faith Sharing Questions
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FIRST READING
The gift of the Spirit at Pentecost unites people to understand each other and the Christian message. Do you see disunity? How could you bring unity?
SECOND READING
Everyone is gifted. Name and claim at least 3 gifts you have. What gift do you feel you would like to develop more and use for God and the community?
The Spirit and ʻgiftsʼ are connected to to the ʻbodyʼ. Which part of the ʻbodyʼ (Church) do you identify more with: eyes – seeing, head – thinking, heart – feeling, hands – serving, mouth – speaking, ears – praying. How do you show this in your daily life? How could you be more involved in serving God with this?
GOSPEL
Forgiveness of sins and the healing of wounded hearts, families, communities is what each disciple is ʻsentʼ to do. Consider what feelings and thoughts arise in a person when they are ʻsentʼ with authority to do something? Are you conscious of being sent out by the Father to ʻrepair the worldʼ?
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SOURCE: Living the Word resources are created by Fr Frank Bird a Marist priest and Mrs Bev McDonald, ACSD, distributed by Marist Laity Auckland, NZ
FIRST READING
1. It might help to reflect on times in your own life when you experienced a special awakening and enthusiasm for Gospel. What was going on in your life before this and what were the effects afterwards?
2. The gifts of the Spirit are many (see Galatians 5:22 and 1 Corinthians 12): can I name my own gifts and thanks to God the Holy Spirit?
GOSPEL
1. Jesus comes into a room full of fear. Sometimes it is fear itself that makes us close the door on others and on God. Occasionally a person comes along with the gift of breaking through our closed doors, a person who comes to be with us in our fears. Do you have memories of people getting through to you and being with you despite your closed doors? Who brought you peace in a time of anxiety?
2. As Jesus was sent by the Father, so he sent out the disciples. This evokes images of receiving and handing on the things that give life: values, meaning, sense of purpose, love. Who are the people who gave you life by what they handed on to you? To whom have you handed on what is life-giving?
SOURCE: Hearers of the Word
FIRST READING
1. Every nation was confused and amazed because everyone understood in his or her language what the apostles were saying. If you were completely open to the Holy Spirit, would you have a deeper understanding of all that you hear? Was the miracle in the speaking or the hearing? How does the Holy Spirit use the miracle of hearing with you?
SECOND READING
2. “When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled they were all in one place together. … ” Was fear present? What took the place of “fear” after the Holy Spirit rested on each one of them? According to Pope Francis, what are…
SOURCE: Sunday Web Site at Saint Louis University
GOSPEL
1. How is it that forgiveness of sins, one for another, becomes a sign of the kingdom of God? How effective is that sign today? Do you know anyone who should forgive you some harm you have done him or her? Have you asked to be forgiven?
2. “Receive the Holy Spirit!” is a command from Jesus. We receive this command in the sacrament of confirmation. How have we responded to that command in our personal lives? How has the Church community responded? Have you committed some energy to receiving the Holy Spirit? Have you made space for it in your life?
3. Even after Peter had denied knowing Jesus just a few days earlier, Jesus comes now with words of “peace” and “forgiveness” for him and for all. How do we feel when Jesus forgives us after we have sinned?
SOURCE: Portland Diocese
FIRST READING
1. Who is the Holy Spirit to you? If you have a relationship with the Holy Spirit, how did it begin and develop?
SECOND READING:
2. What gift of the Holy Spirit do you most desire or need at this time in your life?
3. How have you experienced the Holy Spirit’s presence and activity in your life?
GOSPEL
4. Name on thing today’s Gospel says to us that we disciples of Jesus need to heed and act on.
SOURCE: Ascension Catholic Parish, Melbourne, FL
FIRST READING
What was the original meaning of the Feast of Pentecost for Jews (Deuteronomy 16:9-10)? What theological significance did they add to this feast? Why do you think God chose the Jewish Feast of Pentecost to give the Holy Spirit to the Church? What is the meaning of Pentecost for Christians (Acts 2:32-33; CCC 715)?
How far have these pilgrims come (Acts 2:9-11)? What attracts them to the disciples? Would you respond more like those in Acts 2:12 or those in Acts 2:13? Why?
When have you experienced an empowering from God to witness about Christ? How does being filled with the Spirit relate to bearing witness about Christ?
Have you ever had a strong religious conversion experience? If so, how did your behavior change, and what did your family and friends think about it? What did you think about it?
SECOND READING
Even though as Christians, we have “the first fruits of the Spirit” (1 Cor 12:23). How is it, then, that we are “groaning within ourselves as we are awaiting adoption” [by God]? How does 1 Cor 12:23-24 help to answer this?