Directions

1. Have students read the Gospel passage, or read it aloud to your students, and then answer the focus questions. You may have students answer them on their own or you may discuss them together as a class.
2. Review and discuss the correct answers when finished.
3. Have your students read the story of Pentecost from Acts 2:1-11, printed on the Symbols of the Holy Spirit worksheet, and have them answer the reflection questions. Then, have students look up each of the given Scripture passages to determine which symbol of the Holy Spirit is revealed in those passages. Have them record their answer and why they think so, and then draw an artistic representation of that symbol.

Answer Key

Focus Questions

1. “Peace be with you.”
2. “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
3. He breathed on them.
4. The authority to forgive and retain sins.

Symbols of the Holy Spirit

Reflection Questions

1. The reading from Acts fulfills the promise Jesus makes in the Gospel. Both readings provide us with an understanding of who the Holy Spirit is.
2. Because the Holy Spirit was necessary to strengthen and guide the Apostles in the establishing of the early Church and continues to be necessary until the Second Coming.

Graphic Organizer

1. A dove/The Spirit of God descended upon Jesus at His Baptism like a dove.
2. Tongues or flames of fire/God’s spirit often appears in fire, which is symbol of power and might.
3. Wind/The Spirit filled the room with the sound of a rushing wind, and God’s Spirit
   hovered over the waters of creation.
4. Water/Water is often connected with an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Baptism.
5. A cloud/God led His people at various points in the Old Testament by appearing in a cloud or a pillar of fire.
6. Anointing with oil/Anointing with oil represented being sealed with God’s Spirit.