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The Catholic Community of St. John the Evangelist

1061 S. Ellington Parkway, Lewisburg, TN 37091

Pentecost Sunday

May 24, 2026 • Week 46

There appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. — Acts 2:3

Pentecost

Today the Church remembers the moment when the very breath of God rushed from the mouth of the risen Jesus, filling the disciples with the Holy Spirit. Today’s readings bring us to the culmination of the great fifty-day celebration of Easter with images of strong driving winds and tongues of fire. We cry out to God in today’s psalm, “Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth!” During these fifty days, we have baptized, confirmed, and shared the Eucharist with the newly initiated. We have spent these days savoring the meaning of the sacramental life. In these sacramental moments, the Church is reborn. In this moment of Pentecost, we are reborn. We are given the gifts of the Holy Spirit so that we, like the disciples, can be sent forth to be Christ for the world. Let us be open and vulnerable to the driving winds and tongues of flame that can signal a new Pentecost. Let God’s word once again bring us the power to renew the face of the earth.

— Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.

Send Your Spirit

Last week we heard that after the Ascension, the disciples, Mary, and other followers of the Lord withdrew to the upper room where they persevered unanimously in prayer. This week we hear that, while they were in prayer there, the Holy Spirit came upon them. The promise of Jesus, after his Resurrection which today’s Gospel recounts, is fulfilled: the power of the Holy Spirit comes upon the followers of Jesus. Saint Paul tells us that all of us, in some way, are given the gifts of the Holy Spirit, gifts that can be used to proclaim the Good News. Today is one of the greatest feasts of the Church. Let us carry with us the refrain of the responsorial psalm: “Send your Spirit, Lord, and renew the face of the earth!” (Psalm 104:30).

— Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.

Mass Schedule

Announcements

Parish Events & Notices

Catholic Communication Campaign — There will be a second collection today for the Catholic Communication Campaign.

Graduate Congratulations — Congratulations to our graduates of this year.

Totus Tuus VBS — Totus Tuus VBS will be coming to St. John on June 21–26. This is a free program for all children of the parish. Registration in the parish hall today after Mass. Please help us make this a success by signing up to volunteer to be present during day or evening programs during the week, to bring meals for our missionaries, and/or for additional items that are needed.

Bethlehem Olive Wood Sale — Our friends from Bethlehem are here today in the hall selling handmade olive wood carvings and crafts by the Christians in the Holy Land. This is their main source of income so they are asking for your support.

Baby Bottle Campaign — The Mother’s Guild has partnered with In His Image Pregnancy Resource Center. Collect a baby bottle at the entrance or parish hall, fill with “Change for Life.” Online donations at givebutter.com/babybottle2026. Return filled bottles by June 14.

Parish Yard Sale — Saturday, June 13, 7:00 AM–1:00 PM. 10’x10’ space $15; with 8’ table $20 (while supplies last). See Mother’s Guild at end of Mass to register.

Ushers & Greeters — Please consider filling a ministry needed in our parish as an usher and greeter. Contact the office if you can help.

Memorial Day — Monday, May 25. Honoring all who served.

Online Giving — Use the parish QR code to make your donation online.

Today’s Readings

First Reading — Filled with the Holy Spirit, the apostles begin to speak in tongues (Acts 2:1–11).

Psalm — Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth (Psalm 104).

Second Reading — In one Spirit we are baptized into one body and given to drink of one Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:3b–7, 12–13).

Gospel — Jesus Christ appears to the disciples and sends them on their mission with the power to forgive or retain sins through the Holy Spirit (John 20:19–23).

Readings for the Week

Monday: Tb 1:3; 2:1a–8; Ps 112:1b–2, 3b–6; Mk 12:1–12

Tuesday: Tb 2:9–14; Ps 112:1–2, 7–9; Mk 12:13–17

Wednesday: Tb 3:1–11a, 16–17a; Ps 25:2–5ab, 6, 7bc–9; Mk 12:18–27

Thursday: Tb 6:10–11; 7:1bcde, 9–17; 8:4–9a; Ps 128:1–5; Mk 12:28–34

Friday: Tb 11:5–17; Ps 146:1b–2, 6c–10; Mk 12:35–37

Saturday: Tb 12:1, 5–15, 20; Tb 13:2, 6efgh, 7, 8; Mk 12:38–44

Next Sunday: Ex 34:4b–6, 8–9; Dn 3:52–55; 2 Cor 13:11–13; Jn 3:16–18

Reflecting on the Word

I taught in a Catholic high school for a few years, and the seniors in my class would often talk with me about their dreams for the future: the college they wanted to be accepted into (or had been accepted into), their careers, and how they envisioned their role in the world. I soon realized that much of their energy was spent in comparing themselves with their peers and the emotions that came with that. It became a common theme of my response to them to refer to today’s second reading from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. With them, it was a metaphorical house being built. Could we hire an electrician and expect them to build the whole house? What would such a house look like? Perhaps we need a plumber? Oh, and how about a roofer? Maybe a woodworker for the floors? And so, the student would eventually come to the understanding that we are each given a particular gift toward the building of the whole. The kin-dom of God is not complete without the unique gift that each of us is given and expected to use to further its building.

The pomp and circumstance with which the Holy Spirit arrives and rests on the apostles in the room indicates the presence of an authority that is beyond human comprehension. The presence of God, the Holy Spirit is sometimes like a roar that encompasses the earth, and at other times, it is like a gentle whisper, just a breath. Sometimes, the gentle breath is more powerful in moving the mountains of human sinfulness. The gentle love of God renews us to become more fully the persons that we are created to be—for ourselves, for other persons, for creation. Recognizing that we each have particular roles in the kin-dom of God allows us to be gentler with each other, like the gentle breath of God that gives us a second chance at trying to live out our gifts well.

— Excerpted from Living the Word

Mission Statement

We, the members of Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church, recognize and respect our diverse and multicultural character. By the grace of God, we will nurture our spiritual community through prayer, service, and example to become one family in Christ.