MANILA, Philippines — Sunday is Pentecost Sunday when we remember the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles gathered in the Upper Room. Our First Reading on Sunday from the book of the Acts of the Apostles (2:1-11) narrates this dramatic event that paved way for the spreading of the Good News of Jesus Christ.
The Spirit of God came to the apostles gathered in the Cenacle in a form of a strong wind, and it filled the entire house. Then there appeared to them the tongues of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. After being filled with the Spirit, the apostles began to speak in different tongues. In John 20:19-23, Jesus Himself, after His resurrection, appeared to the disciples, twice said to them, “Peace be with you,” breathed on them and said “Receive the Holy Spirit, then sent them to preach the Good News and to forgive sinners in the name of the Lord.
In Baptism and Confirmation, we receive the Holy Spirit. The Spirit, according to Jesus, will help us perform these deeds and will enable us to be good and faithful sons and daughters of God. The Spirit is Lord and Giver of Life. The Spirit is our advocate and guide. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “The moral life of Christians is sustained by the gifts of the Holy Spirit. These are permanent dispositions which make man docile in following the promptings of the Holy Spirit. The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. They make the faithful docile in readily obeying divine inspirations.”
As the disciples were sent off on a mission, Christ Jesus sends us too to proclaim His message of love to everyone. Our mission is one of proclamation not only by word of mouth but, above all else, by our good deeds. We must proclaim God’s marvelous action in our lives. We must proclaim his forgiveness and mercy that liberates. The power of the Holy Spirit will make us do all these things.
This Pentecost Sunday is a wonderful occasion for us to remember that the Spirit of God continues to be at work in our lives. Le us pray to him always to enliven us when we feel weary and console us when we feel restless. “Come Holy Spirit, fill our hearts with your love!”
The Spirit of God came to the apostles gathered in the Cenacle in a form of a strong wind, and it filled the entire house. Then there appeared to them the tongues of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. After being filled with the Spirit, the apostles began to speak in different tongues. In John 20:19-23, Jesus Himself, after His resurrection, appeared to the disciples, twice said to them, “Peace be with you,” breathed on them and said “Receive the Holy Spirit, then sent them to preach the Good News and to forgive sinners in the name of the Lord.
In Baptism and Confirmation, we receive the Holy Spirit. The Spirit, according to Jesus, will help us perform these deeds and will enable us to be good and faithful sons and daughters of God. The Spirit is Lord and Giver of Life. The Spirit is our advocate and guide. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “The moral life of Christians is sustained by the gifts of the Holy Spirit. These are permanent dispositions which make man docile in following the promptings of the Holy Spirit. The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. They make the faithful docile in readily obeying divine inspirations.”
As the disciples were sent off on a mission, Christ Jesus sends us too to proclaim His message of love to everyone. Our mission is one of proclamation not only by word of mouth but, above all else, by our good deeds. We must proclaim God’s marvelous action in our lives. We must proclaim his forgiveness and mercy that liberates. The power of the Holy Spirit will make us do all these things.
This Pentecost Sunday is a wonderful occasion for us to remember that the Spirit of God continues to be at work in our lives. Le us pray to him always to enliven us when we feel weary and console us when we feel restless. “Come Holy Spirit, fill our hearts with your love!”
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