6th Week of Pentecost

Acts 13:26-39
“My brothers, children of the family of Abraham, and those others among you who are God-fearing, to us this word of salvation has been sent. The inhabitants of Jerusalem and their leaders failed to recognize him, and by condemning him they fulfilled the oracles of the prophets that are read sabbath after sabbath. For even though they found no grounds for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him put to death, and when they had accomplished all that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and placed him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead, and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. These are (now) his witnesses before the people. We ourselves are proclaiming this good news to you that what God promised our ancestors he has brought to fulfillment for us, (their) children, by raising up Jesus, as it is written in the second psalm, ‘You are my son; this day I have begotten you.’ And that he raised him from the dead never to return to corruption he declared in this way, ‘I shall give you the benefits assured to David.’ That is why he also says in another psalm, ‘You will not suffer your holy one to see corruption.’ Now David, after he had served the will of God in his lifetime, fell asleep, was gathered to his ancestors, and did see corruption. But the one whom God raised up did not see corruption. You must know, my brothers, that through him forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you, (and) in regard to everything from which you could not be justified under the law of Moses, in him every believer is justified.

Matthew 16:5-12
In coming to the other side of the sea, the disciples had forgotten to bring bread. Jesus said to them, “Look out, and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” They concluded among themselves, saying, “It is because we have brought no bread.” When Jesus became aware of this he said, “You of little faith, why do you conclude among yourselves that it is because you have no bread? Do you not yet understand, and do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many wicker baskets you took up? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you took up? How do you not comprehend that I was not speaking to you about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Then they understood that he was not telling them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Prayer of the Faithful, vol. III: Ramsho – Examination of Conscience
O Lord, our Lord, may our humble worship be pleasing to you; may our prayers come before you and our actions give you honor. Let your mercy, kindness, help, graces and divine love be poured abundantly upon us, poor sinners, both in heaven and on earth which you have created in your goodness. O Lord, our God, to you be glory for ever. Amen.

Saint of the Day: Saint Kateri Tekakawitha, Virgin, Lily of the Mohawks and Pride of the Algonquin (died, 1680). Saint ʿAbdelmasiḥ, martyr: was a Jewish shepherd boy (formally known as Aser) who lived near Sinjar in the Persian Empire. He converted to Christianity and pierced his ear to put on an earring, apparently the sign of slavery. He was martyred by his father around 390 A.D.

Meditation The Holy Spirit (Ruach Elohim in Hebrew; Rucha Qadisha in Syriac-Aramaic; Hagia Pneuma in Greek) is the Spirit of Truth and Life. In all the Churches of the East (Catholic, Ancient Orthodox, and Eastern Orthodox) Pentecost is not only a Feast Day but a Season of the Church Calendar, in which we remember, celebrate, and praise the gift of the Holy Spirit.
While the coming of spring and summer were celebrated by ancient peoples with rites and ceremonies focused upon flowering, new birth, and the light and warmth of the sun; in the Hebrew Scriptures or Old Testament we see a new meaning in the giving of The Law to Moses on Mt. Sinai. “Where in an inexpressible mystical encounter God revealed himself, entered into a Covenant, gave commandments, and promised salvation. …religion ceased being simply nature, and now became the beginning of history.” (Schmemann, Alexander, The Church Year: The Celebration of Faith, SVS Press, Crestwood, New York, 1994, p.152.) This will allow the prophets of Israel to see and proclaim a future fullness of God’s reign over his creation. This will allow for the proclamation of the coming of a Messiah who will redeem humanity, and a re-creation through the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit of God. As the prophet Joel wrote:

And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out my spirit on all
flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream
dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even upon the menservants and
maidservants in those days, I will pour out my spirit. And I will give signs in
the heavens and on the earth…before the great and terrible day of the Lord
comes. And it shall come to pass that all who call upon the name of the Lord
shall be delivered…(Joel 2:28-32)