Transcript Welcome to our Bible Study

Sunday Readings
Commentary and Reflections
Pentecost Sunday
May 24, 2015
In preparation for this Sunday’s Liturgy
As aid in focusing our homilies and sharing
Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM
1st reading: Acts 2,1-11
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1 When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one
place together. 2 And suddenly there came from the sky a noise
like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which
they were. 3 Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire,
which parted and came to rest on each one of them. 4 And they
were all filled with the holy Spirit and began to speak in different
tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. 5 Now there
were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in
Jerusalem. 6 At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but
they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his
own language. 7 They were astounded, and in amazement they
asked, "Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans? 8
Then how does each of us hear them in his own native language? 9
We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of
Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia
and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as
well as travelers from Rome, 11 both Jews and converts to
Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own
tongues of the mighty acts of God."
The focus is on the Holy Spirit and the glossolalia.
1st reading: Acts 2,1-11
A simple outline!
Setting
 1 When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place
together.
Descent of the Holy Spirit
 2 And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind,
and it filled the entire house in which they were. 3 Then there appeared
to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of
them.
Result: Speaking in tongues
 4 And they were all filled with the holy Spirit and began to speak in
different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.
 5 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in
Jerusalem. 6 At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were
confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language.
 7 They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, "Are not all these
people who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how does each of us hear
them in his own native language? 9 We are Parthians, Medes, and
Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and
Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near
Cyrene, as well as travelers from Rome, 11 both Jews and converts to
Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own
tongues of the mighty acts of God."
1st reading: Acts 2,1-11
Setting
 1 When the time for
Pentecost was fulfilled,
they were all in one
place together.
Descent of the Holy Spirit
 2 And suddenly there
came from the sky a
noise like a strong
driving wind, and it
filled the entire house in
which they were. 3
Then there appeared to
them tongues as of fire,
which parted and came
to rest on each one of
them.
Result: Speaking in tongues
 4 And they were all filled
with the holy Spirit and
began to speak in
different tongues, as the
Spirit enabled them to
proclaim.
Commentary
 V.1 provides the setting of the descent of
the Holy Spirit:

Time of Pentecost (50 days after
resurrection). For the Jews, it is called Shavuot,
meaning weeks, the day after 7 weeks. It recalls
the revelation of the Torah on Mt. Sinai. Here God
is acknowledged as revealer.
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In one place
In V.2, the descent is sudden, in the form of
a noise like a strong wind (sound effect)
V.3 indicates the appearance of the Holy
Spirit, as tongues of fire resting on each
one.
V.4 says all of them are filled with the Holy
Spirit.
Consequently, they begin to speak in
different tongues (languages) as the Spirit
allowed them to.
1st reading: Acts 2,1-11
5 Now there were devout Jews
from every nation under
heaven staying in Jerusalem. 6
At this sound, they gathered in
a large crowd, but they were
confused because each one
heard them speaking in his own
language.
 7 They were astounded, and in
amazement they asked, "Are
not all these people who are
speaking Galileans? 8 Then
how does each of us hear them
in his own native language? 9
We are Parthians, Medes, and
Elamites, inhabitants of
Mesopotamia, Judea and
Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,
10 Phrygia and Pamphylia,
Egypt and the districts of Libya
near Cyrene, as well as
travelers from Rome, 11 both
Jews and converts to Judaism,
Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear
them speaking in our own
tongues of the mighty acts of
God."
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V.5 indicates the presence of the devout
Jews (not just ordinary but God-fearing
Jews), from different countries.
In v.6, they also gather together at the
sound of the Holy Spirit.
They are thrown into confusion. (They
can’t explain why the men from Galilee are
talking in different languages now).
In v.7, they are astounded and in
amazement, as they ask about the
apostles’ origins hypothetically, which
demands an affirmative answer.
V.8 states that each of the apostles
speak in their native tongues.
Vv.9-10 enumerate the places, where the
devout Jews come from.
V.11 expresses their amazement on the
speaking in tongues/languages
(glossolalia).

The content of the preaching (in tongues)
of the apostles is the mighty acts of God
(a kind of theophany as in Exodus).
Reflections on the 1st reading

The Holy Spirit has also descended upon us, Christians,
through baptism and confirmation.

Like the apostles, we have a mission.
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Mission work is primarily a proclamation.

We proclaim what God has revealed / done for us, not
what we do to others, or, what others have done to us.

The ability to communicate God’s love to others is a
sure sign of the Holy Spirit working in us.
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What are the signs that the Holy Spirit has come to you?
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Are you happy to tell stories how blessed have you
been?
Resp. Ps 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34
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R. (cf. 30) Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the
face of the earth.
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1 Bless the LORD, O my soul!
O LORD, my God, you are great indeed!
24 How manifold are your works, O Lord!
the earth is full of your creatures;
29 May the glory of the LORD endure forever;
may the LORD be glad in his works!
30 Pleasing to him be my theme;
I will be glad in the LORD.
31 If you take away their breath, they perish
and return to their dust.
34 When you send forth your spirit, they are created,
and you renew the face of the earth.
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Resp. Ps 104:1,24, 29-30, 31, 34
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R. (cf. 30) Lord, send out your
Spirit, and renew the face of the
earth.
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul!
O LORD, my God, you are great
indeed!
24 How manifold are your works, O
Lord!
the earth is full of your creatures;
29 May the glory of the LORD endure
forever;
may the LORD be glad in his works!
30 Pleasing to him be my theme;
I will be glad in the LORD.
31 If you take away their breath, they
perish
and return to their dust.
34 When you send forth your spirit,
they are created,
and you renew the face of the earth.
Commentary
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The psalm is classified as hymn of praise.
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In v.1, the psalmist blesses the Lord and
acknowledges God’s greatness.
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V.24 specifies God’s greatness: works and
all, that can be seen on the surface of the
earth.
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In v.29, the psalmist wishes God’s glory
(greatness) to remain for ever and that the
Lord be happy with his accomplishments
(like us, humans).
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In v.30, the psalmist is aware if he is happy
in the Lord, he will be pleasing to God.
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V.31 mentions the power of God over life.
God is in-charge of our life and our death.
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Death spells our return to the elements.
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In v.34, the psalmist makes a theological
statement: God sends his Spirit.
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Through his Spirit, all things are created
and renewed.
Reflections on the Psalm
We, Christians, must realize how much God’s Spirit
works in us.
 We cannot be created and renewed without God’s
Spirit.
 When there is no creativity and newness, the Spirit is
absent.
 When we are bored to death because we don’t see
anything new and exciting, and we encounter the same
things again and again, the Spirit is absent.
 The Spirit is present when we re-create ourselves,
improve our relationships and the quality of our lives
(attitude and behavior), and when we start anew.
 Are you contented with what is old and jurrassic?
 Do you feel re-created and renewed?
 Do you find life exciting?
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2nd reading: 1 Cor 12,3-7.12-13
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3 Therefore, I tell you that nobody speaking by the
spirit of God says, "Jesus be accursed." And no one can
say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the holy Spirit. 4 There
are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit;
5 there are different forms of service but the same
Lord; 6 there are different workings but the same God
who produces all of them in everyone. 7 To each
individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for
some benefit.
12 As a body is one though it has many parts, and all
the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so
also Christ. 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized
into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free
persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.
The focus is on the one Spirit.
2nd reading: 1 Cor 12,3-7.12-13
A simple outline!
Utterance by the Holy Spirit
 3 Therefore, I tell you that nobody speaking by the
spirit of God says, "Jesus be accursed." And no one can
say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the holy Spirit.
Variety of spiritual gifts
 4 There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the
same Spirit; 5 there are different forms of service but
the same Lord; 6 there are different workings but the
same God who produces all of them in everyone. 7 To
each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given
for some benefit.
Unity / Integration
 12 As a body is one though it has many parts, and all
the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so
also Christ. 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized
into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free
persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.
2nd reading:
1 Cor 12,3-7.12-13
Utterance by the
Holy Spirit
 3 Therefore, I
tell you that
nobody
speaking by the
spirit of God
says, "Jesus be
accursed." And
no one can say,
"Jesus is Lord,"
except by the
holy Spirit.
Commentary
 V.3 indicates that if we are
possessed by the spirit of the Lord
(Holy Spirit), it is impossible for
us to curse Jesus.
 At the same time, we cannot say,
“Jesus is Lord,” if we are not
possessed by the Spirit.
 The presence of the Spirit
determines the kind of prayer we
utter to Jesus.
2nd reading:
1 Cor 12,3-7.12-13
Variety of spiritual
gifts
 4 There are
different kinds of
spiritual gifts but
the same Spirit; 5
there are different
forms of service but
the same Lord; 6
there are different
workings but the
same God who
produces all of them
in everyone. 7 To
each individual the
manifestation of the
Spirit is given for
some benefit.
V.4 affirms the different gifts of the
Holy Spirit.
 The different gifts come from one and
the same source: the Holy Spirit.
 Therefore, there should be no
divisions.
 V.5 is parallel to v.4. Many services but
the same Lord.
 V.6 continues the style. Many workings
but the same God.
 Notice the names referring to the
same: Holy Spirit, Lord, and God
(somehow Trinitarian).
 In v.7, the Holy Spirit gives a particular
gift to a particular individual for the
benefit of others.
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2nd reading: 1 Cor 12,3-7.12-13
Unity / Integration
 12 As a body is one
though it has many
parts, and all the
parts of the body,
though many, are
one body, so also
Christ. 13 For in one
Spirit we were all
baptized into one
body, whether Jews
or Greeks, slaves or
free persons, and we
were all given to
drink of one Spirit.
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V.12 talks about the unity of
Christians.
We, Christians, are members of
the same body, the body of
Christ.
There is only one Christ.
Therefore, there should also be
one body.
V.13 indicates that we have one /
common baptism.
We may come from different
races, social and economic
levels, but we are baptized in the
same Spirit, we drink of one and
the same Spirit.
Reflections on the 2nd reading
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God has given us gifts (talents) according to our
capacity.
We must not complain or get jealous, if other
people are more brilliant or better than we.
Our abilities and capacities should serve the
common good.
The variety of gifts (charisms) must be utilized in
coordination with the other gifts.
We create division if we misuse our God-given
talents, like competing with other members of the
community.
Gospel reading: John 20,19-23

19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when
the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for
fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst
and said to them, "Peace be with you." 20 When he
had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.
The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21
(Jesus) said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the
Father has sent me, so I send you." 22 And when he
had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,
"Receive the holy Spirit. 23 Whose sins you forgive are
forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are
retained."
We focus on the holy Spirit, although the focus of the text is
Jesus’ appearance.
The simple outline!
Gospel reading: John 20,19-23
Setting: Sunday, locked doors, greetings of peace
 19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors
were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews,
Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be
with you."
 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.
Feelings of joy
 The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
Greetings of peace and the Holy Spirit
 21 (Jesus) said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father
has sent me, so I send you."
 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to
them, "Receive the holy Spirit. 23 Whose sins you forgive are
forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained."
No feelings of joy (bakit kaya?)
Gospel reading: John 20,19-23
Setting: Sunday, locked doors,
greetings of peace
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19 On the evening of that first day
of the week, when the doors were
locked, where the disciples were,
for fear of the Jews, Jesus came
and stood in their midst and said to
them, "Peace be with you."
The disciples rejoiced when they
saw the Lord.
Greetings of peace and the Holy Spirit
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The text describes Jesus’ appearance to the
apostles after his resurrection.
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It also describes the disposition of the apostles
after the death of Jesus and his appearance.
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V.19 provides the setting of the story of the
appearance of Jesus:
20 When he had said this, he
showed them his hands and his side.
Feelings of joy
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Commentary
21 (Jesus) said to them again,
"Peace be with you. As the Father
has sent me, so I send you."
22 And when he had said this, he
breathed on them and said to them,
"Receive the holy Spirit. 23 Whose
sins you forgive are forgiven them,
and whose sins you retain are
retained."
No more feelings of joy
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Date: Sunday
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Venue: In a room, doors locked
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Greetings: Peace be with you.
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In v.20, Jesus quickly shows his hands and side.
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They rejoice at his sight, not just at the sight of
his wounds.
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In v.21, Jesus repeats his greetings. Then he
adds, “I send you.”
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In v.22, following the pattern in v.20 (When he had
said this), Jesus breathes on them the Holy Spirit.
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V.23 gives the reason for sending them, for giving
them the Holy Spirit: forgiveness of sins.
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The text does not describe their feelings. Ay!!
Quite intriguing!
Reflections on the gospel reading
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Like the apostles, we also have received the
Holy Spirit.
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We receive the Holy Spirit with a purpose.
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With the power of the Holy Spirit, we need to
preach and to forgive our brethren.
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We make the presence of the Holy Spirit
meaningless in our lives, when we are quiet
about the gospel and when we do not do
anything for Christ and for the Church.
Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm
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The first reading describes the descent of the Holy
Spirit upon the apostles. (public, people around noticed
it.)
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The psalm recognizes the work of the Spirit in
creation and renewal.
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The second reading reiterates that the gifts come
from the same Spirit. We have no right to be
divided.
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The gospel reading talks about Jesus’ breathing the
Holy Spirit upon the apostles. (private)
How to develop your homily / sharing
What is the role of the Holy Spirit in our
lives?
 Do we possess this Spirit?
 Do other spirits possess us?
 This Pentecost Sunday should remind us of
the importance of the Holy Spirit.
 It is from the Holy Spirit that we draw
inspiration.
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In the first reading, the Holy Spirit makes us speak of
the wonderful deeds of God.
 It is through the Holy Spirit that we make ourselves
understood by other people.
 With the Holy Spirit, we can communicate to other
cultures, religions and races.
 The Holy Spirit makes other people wonder with our
spirit-filled (inspiring) behavior.
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If you inspire other people to praise God, you are
possessed by the Holy Spirit.
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The second reading teaches us that we owe our gifts and
talents to the Holy Spirit.
We should use them for the good of the community
(common good).
Though we have varied gifts, we should be united.
Never should our talents be sources of division in our
communities.
Unity does not mean having the same talents and doing
the same things with same quality or quantity.
The variety of gifts must stand at the disposal of the
various needs of the Church.
If other people do not see anything good (talent) in you,
because you are hiding it or have no drive to perform, you
are not making the Holy Spirit work in you.
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In the gospel reading, the Holy Spirit is sent to us to
assist us in our mission.
Our mission is to preach the Word of God and to impart
forgiveness.
We cannot be effective missionaries if we do not
possess the Holy Spirit.
Christians should show that they possess the Holy Spirit
by their reverent Christian behavior.
Can you speak of the gospel from your heart, without
feeling awkward?
Can you forgive your brothers and sisters who have
offended you? Show mercy.
In the Church, there are many charismatic
groups.
 Their mission is to help renew the Church.
 They have drawn wayward Catholics back to the
fold.

But some charismatic groups put themselves in
opposition to the “institutional Church.”
 Without proper guidance, they can go into
different directions and disintegrate later.
 Not only talents (charisma) can be the source of
their own division, but also money and power.
 When they talk more about money and their
organizational problems, they are courting
disaster and soon they will lose their relevance
in the Church.
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In the Church, many organizations and individuals need
to be exorcized, because another kind of spirit (evil
spirit, spirit of individualism, rivalry,
gossiping, slandering, and cynism) takes
hold of them.
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(refusal to pay
their dues, refusal to take responsibility,
absentee, forever a counselee, refusal to
recognize their leaders).
They do not follow their own rules
You can see in their long and unhappy faces, that
nothing good is happening to them.
 They are a pain in the neck of the community, of the
priests and bishops.
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Many of the so-called Catholic charismatics
do not go to confession. They are influenced
by the born-again Christians.
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They don’t receive holy communion any
more and other sacraments.

They do not help renew the Church, but
stifle the growth of their hapless members.
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The eucharist is a Spirit-filled celebration.
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The participation in the eucharist is our
response to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
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In the mass, we unite ourselves with one
another and with Christ.
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In the eucharist, we ask the Holy Spirit to guide
us, enlighten us, enliven us in our mission.
Our Context of Sin and Grace
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“Monopoly” of the Spirit
Pretending to possess the
Spirit
Divisive
Sowing intrigues
Jealousy
Refusal to create and to
renew
Refusal to attend ongoing
formations
Charlatan
Renewal groups and
movements
 Spiritual exercises
 Renewal programs
 Ongoing formations
 Updated,formed and high
quality speakers and
resource persons
 Good communications
 United with Christ in his
Word and Sacrament
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Suggested Songs
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Veni, Creator Spiritus
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The Spirit is a-Movin’
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The Spirit of God
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Come Holy Ghost
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Come Holy Spirit