Ukrainian Catholic ChurchAustralia, New Zealand and Oceania
The Missionary Decade. Day Ten — Sunday of Pentecost — “Our mission: to carry the Holy Spirit to others”
May 19, 2024
Ending this Missionary Decade, let’s always try to remember our joint mission and co-responsibility for the fate of the Ukrainian people and state. Let’s not stop praying for the spiritual revival and unity of Ukraine.
Sunday, May 19
A reading of the Holy Gospel according to John 7:37–52; 8:12
”On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified… Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’”
Reflections on the tenth day of the Decade. What a wonderful image of the Holy Spirit — a river of living water that flows from the inside of those who believe in Christ. Each of us, when we see a river, wants to stop and look at how the water flows. Our thoughts fly around those to whom that water brings life and joy. In the same way, the Holy Spirit works through us and makes us God’s instruments so that we bring life and joy to others. He gives us various gifts (cf. Is. 11:2–3: wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength, knowledge, piety, and the fear of God), and we, in turn, are called to bear His fruits (cf. Gal. 5:22 −23: love, joy, peace, patience, mercy, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, restraint) for the growth of the Church of Christ. We can say that the Holy Spirit makes us know Christ as the Light of the world and leads us to life in Christ. He makes each of us a bearer of God’s grace, an apostle of Christ, a witness of His truth and a beacon of God’s goodness. Therefore, we come to the conclusion that the Lord calls us to an active Christian life. He invites us to boldly take responsibility and thereby change our society for the better, transform our parishes, and improve our lives in the light of the Good News. Jesus overcame the world (John 16:33) and, giving us his Holy Spirit, calls us to holiness and testimony of his goodness and mercy. Do not be afraid to share the gift of faith with other people. Let’s feel the support of Jesus Christ, who did not leave us alone. We ask for the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to fulfill God’s will in everything.
Reflections in time of war. Righteous Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky during the Second World War called for a new understanding of God’s Commandments as the basis of any society that seeks peace and justice at archdiocesan councils. Because only by reminding yourself of the words of the Decalogue, which is the law and the basis of a just life, you can expect the restoration of God’s peace. If humanity does not obey God’s Commandments, then the whole world faces such a threat, which may turn out to be the last. This call is especially relevant in the conditions of Russian aggression even today. “Jesus Christ yesterday and today is the same forever” (Heb. 13, 8). The Lord wants His disciples to be, as they once were at the beginning of Christianity, to be brave in faithfulness to the truth; so that they do not close their eyes to injustice, looking for economic profit and peace of mind. The life of Jesus — His teachings and deeds — is a light for us and an example of how to be real people, created in the image and likeness of God and carrying the peace-making power of the Holy Spirit. Our task is to become a holy people, to testify about God’s wise and just rule in the world and to bring the Good News to all nations that God has defeated the devil and we are joining this battle for life. The example of Christ is so pure and clear that it cannot be replaced by any human compromises and concessions, since it is about the dignity and rights of people and the freedom of the entire civilized world.
Prayer intention: Let us pray for the spiritual revival of Ukraine and the preservation of the integrity of its borders.
Prayer. “Blessed are Your, O Christ our God who revealed the fishermen as most wise by sending them the Holy Spirit; through them You caught the entire world. Loving Master, glory to You” (Troparion for Pentecost).
Mission task: If you have the opportunity, go to the priest in your parish and ask in a friendly way what small thing you could contribute to the development of your parish.
