Cycle B - Year II:  

20 May 2018: Pentecost Sunday  

(Liturgical Color: Red)

Readings:

First Reading:        Acts 2:1-11

Second Reading:  1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13

Gospel:Please Read  John 20:19-23

Come, Holy Spirit, Come!

The Church celebrates Pentecost Sunday fifty days after the resurrection of our Lord. That is why it is called "Pentecost". And so after Jesus ascended into heaven, now it is the turn of the Holy Spirit to continue the work of our Lord Jesus Christ through His disciples and Holy Mother Church.

The Acts of the Apostles in the first reading describe the great event of the first Pentecost: "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 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 Holy Spirit enabled them to proclaim." (Acts 2:1-4)

And so, Pentecost Sunday celebrates the great beginning of the Catholic Church, often called as the birthday of the Church. So today we can greet ourselves a Happy Birthday or Happy Anniversary, as we mark a fresh start for all of us as the New Church, the People of God in journey toward the Father's house.

The Gospel narratives from St. John speak about the very first encounter of the risen Lord with His disciples. When the resurrected Christ appears, He offered proof of His resurrection by showing the disciples the wounds of His passion, His pierced hands and side. Then He calmed their fears and brought them peace, the peace which reconciles sinners and makes one a friend of God. Jesus then commissioned His weak and timid apostles to carry the Gospel to the ends of the earth. He breathes on them the gifts of the Holy Spirit. These gifts would help them to fulfill their mission to preach the Gospel to all nations. And so, the Apostles, who were not especially learned men, suddenly began to speak in the languages of all those around them. They become eloquent when prophesying "the mighty acts of God and expert in exegesis of the Scriptures.

The same gifts from the Holy Spirit, which were granted to us when we are infused with sanctifying grace, the life of God in our souls,  help us to live authentic Christian life, In other words, we are empowered by the same Holy Spirit to continue the missionary work of the Church, to face the challenges of our time, especially in matters of faith and morality.

And so, through the gift of faith we proclaim that Jesus Christ is our personal Lord and our God. He died and rose again that we might have new life in Him. The Lord offers each of us a new life in His Holy Spirit that we may know Him personally and walk in this new way of life through the power of His resurrection.

And that is why, at times when we struggle to pray because of so many distractions, or when we  want to pray but do not have the words, it is the Holy Spirit that links us to God and interprets our desire before Him. In the words of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, "It is the Holy Spirit who helps our inability, who enlightens our minds and warms our hearts, guiding us as we turn to God."

In the Eucharist at Mass, let us pray that the Holy Spirit empowers us with His seven gifts (wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord) to keep us unwavering in our faith and remain committed  to all the teachings of the Church handed down from the Apostles to the bishops and the Pope. And let us use these gifts to build and strengthen the Church as the Body of Christ through constant prayers. Because it is through prayers that the Holy Spirit works in our humanity, strengthens our weaknesses and transforms us from men bound to material realities into men filled with the Spirit of Christ. Amen.

A blessed Pentecost Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!