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| Sunday 11th May, 2008 - Pentecost Sunday
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Acts 2:1-11. Lord, send out your Spirit and renew the face of the earth—Ps 103(104):1, 24, 29-31, 34. 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13. John 20:19-23. Link to Readings
Today’s first reading and gospel tell of the great happenings of Pentecost—the rushing wind, the tongues of fire, the descent of the Holy Spirit.
We recognise spiritual awakening, deepening of faith, outbursts of spiritual energy and joy. We pray that these may resonate in our own hearts, bringing similar joy and optimism.
In this spirit of optimism we pray fervently, ‘Thy kingdom come’. We recite with joy the Psalm Response. We hope, we believe, we realise that God is with us, and there among the particular difficulties and dangers we face.
We look too to the moving prayer of St Francis of Assisi’s—for love where there is now hatred, for faith where there is now doubt, for peace where there is conflict, for hope where there is danger of despair, and for the joy of Christ where there is despondency or sadness.
We find in the missal many prayers for the needs of the times. Lord, our needs are great; renew the face of the earth in this our own day.
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| St Thomas More
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When King Henry VIII appointed Thomas More (16th century) Lord Chancellor of England, he was the first layman to hold the post. The layman’s appointment was a signal of change in the air. As a youth, More had thought about becoming a monk or a priest but decided instead on the lay life. Known across Europe as a wit and humanist, he became a lawyer, politician and diplomat. His attitude to marriage was unromantic. To save embarrassment to an unwed elder sister, he married her, rather than the younger sister he wanted. They had four children and when their mother died, More quickly married a widow, to care for the children. The More household was rich with discussions from visiting scholars. King Henry used to drop in to see his friend and enjoy his menagerie, which included a monkey. When, however, the Chancellor would not go along with the King’s matrimonial adventurism, their friendship soured and More was executed.
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