May 20 - Coming nearer to Pentecost

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Tomorrow, Thursday, some will celebrate the Feast of the Ascension and on Friday a Novena to the Holy Spirit for Pentecost. It is considered the “first Novena” – since . from Friday after Ascension to Saturday before Pentecost we have 9 days ( “novena” comes from the Latin word for 9). I’ll post a link to the Novena for Pentecost tomorrow for all those who may want to prepare for the Great Feast of Pentecost.

Today is Wednesday of the 6th wk of Easter and an optional Memorial of St. Bernadine. Readings for both days are beautiful – but I’m posting only the Gospels for both and the part of the Responsorial for the optional Memorial due to CAF limit on word count.

Today’s Gospel:

Jesus said to his disciples:
“I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.
But when He comes, the Spirit of Truth,
He will guide you to all Truth.
He will not speak on His own,
but He will speak what He hears,
and will declare to you the things that are coming.
He will glorify Me,
because He will take from what is Mine and declare it to you.
Everything that the Father has is Mine;
for this reason I told you that He will take from what is Mine
and declare it to you.” (Jn 16:12-15)

From Memorial of St. Bernardine of Siena:

Responsorial Ps. 40

R Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
I have waited, waited for the LORD,
and he stooped toward me and heard my cry.
And he put a new song into my mouth,
a hymn to our God.
R. Here am I, …
Sacrifice or oblation you wished not,
but ears open to obedience you gave me.
Burnt offerings or sin-offerings you sought not;
then said I, “Behold I come.”
R. Here am I, …
"In the written scroll it is prescribed for me,
To do your will, O my God, is my delight,
and your law is within my heart!

Alleluia:
I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows Me will have the light of life. (Jn 8:12)

Gospel

As Jesus and his disciples were proceeding
on their journey to Jerusalem,
someone said to him,
“I will follow you wherever you go.”
Jesus answered him,
"Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests,
but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head."
And to another he said, "Follow me."
But he replied, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.”
But He answered him, "Let the dead bury their dead.
But you, go and proclaim the Kingdom of God."
And another said, “I will follow you, Lord,
but first let me say farewell to my family at home.”
Jesus said, "No one who sets a hand to the plow
and looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God." (Lk 9:57-62)

Come Holy Spirit, fill the Hearts of Your Faithful as you filled our Mother Mary with Jesus, the Incarnate Word of God. Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us.

Full Mass Readings are found HERE

 

[Vico]

…

In our Byzantine celebration those nine days are called the Feast of Ascension and begin with Vespers this evening.

Toparion of the Ascension (Tone 4):

You were taken up in glory, O Christ our God;
you gladdened the disciples with the promise of the Holy Spirit;
By blessing them, you confirmed that your are the Son of God;
the Redeemer of the world.

Kontakiion (Tone 6)

When you had fulfilled the plan of salvation for us
and united the earthly with the heavenly
you were taken up in glory, O Christ our God.
Never parting from us but remaining constantly,
you proclaim to those who love you:
I am with you and no one can be against you.

Magnification
Extol, extol, O my soul, O my soul, the Lord who was taken up bodily with glory into heaven.

Irmos
We the faithful, with one accord proclaim you greatness, O Mother of God.
For beyond understanding or expression, you gave birth in time to the Timeless One.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear Vico,

Thanks so much for your reply and for sharing the beautiful prayers from your Byzantine celebration. Do you have a similar celebration for the Feast of Pentecost?

Of course it is especially beautiful to read and ponder the beautiful words by which you honor our Mother Mary, given to us by Jesus to be our Mother also:

We the faithful, with one accord proclaim your greatness, O Mother of God.
For beyond understanding or expression, you gave birth in time to the Timeless One.

 

[Vico]

Dear Vico,

Thanks so much for your reply and for sharing the beautiful prayers from your Byzantine celebration. Do you have a similar celebration for the Feast of Pentecost?

Of course it is especially beautiful to read and ponder the beautiful words by which you honor our Mother Mary, given to us by Jesus to be our Mother also:

We the faithful, with one accord proclaim your greatness, O Mother of God.
For beyond understanding or expression, you gave birth in time to the Timeless One.

Yes, Pentecost begins with Vespers on Saturday evening, for us 30 May 2020, and continues through the following Saturday, with no fasting that week, and with Pentecost Monday simple feast. The Sunday after Pentecost is called Sunday of All Saints.

I thought you would like the Irmos.

 

[MariaChristi]

Thanks again, Vico – for the info – and yes, I liked the Irmos - most especially !

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear Stephie,

Thanks so much for your ever-faith-full and loving heart! Today, Thursday of the 6th week of Easter, some will be celebrating the Feast of the Ascension and others, like myself will need to wait until Sunday, May 24 for the celebration of that Feast at Mass. Today has then 3 options for Mass Readings. The link to options for today Is HERE

The link for today’s Optional Memorial of Saint Christopher Magallanes, is: here

I am going to post in my new thread for today, links for those who will be preparing for Pentecost with a Novena from EWTN I am looking forward to both the Feast of the Ascension celebrated in our Diocese this Sunday (May 24) and the Feast of Pentecost to be celebrated the following Sunday, (May 31).

Hopefully many will be praying fervently for the Church with Mary on both Feasts and during the novena, remembering how Jesus asked before He ascended into heaven, that His Mother and first disciples wait to be clothed with Power from on high. The listened and obeyed Jesus and received that Power from the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday!