Acts 2:1-11
1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13
Jn 20:19-23

Pentecost

Today we celebrate the birthday of the church. The formal beginning of the church has long been recognized as the time when the bestowal of the Holy Spirit was given by the Risen Christ to the disciples. In our liturgical year we have prayed through forty days of Lent that culminated with the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. Jesus ascended to heaven and now comes again to the disciples. 

The readings for the feast of Pentecost begin with the Holy Spirit coming to the disciples.

When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. (Acts 2:1-11)

We may not have experienced a loud noise or tongues of fire as the disciples did, but we, too, received the Holy Spirt when we were baptized, and in a deeper way at our confirmation. 

Pentecost calls us to say yes once again to the Spirit of God who dwells within and among us as individuals and as members of the people of God. The Spirit is alive, dynamic and creative. We need to go deep within our hearts to listen to the urgings of the Spirit calling us to experience New Life. We need to pray and share our lived experience of faith together to recognize the Spirit’s activity and creativity among us. What form will New Life take for each of us?  

Just like the disciples were transformed by tongues of fire, we are called to be transformed as well. When we live by the Spirit, our lives help others around us grow closer to Christ. This is our baptismal and confirmation role in life. In addition, living in the presence of the Holy Spirit helps us through life’s challenges, helps us learn from them, and helps us grow in our capacity to love God and people around us in ways we wouldn’t do otherwise.

Yes, let us continue to celebrate these feasts and the realities they signify. Let us continue to consciously experience the Living Presence and the creative New Life offered daily to each of us. 

Has the Holy Spirit been part of your spiritual life? If no, why?

In what ways will you keep the spirit of Easter alive and active in your life?