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Rejoice on this ‘birthday’

Remember the gifts of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday

Pentecost Sunday

Acts 2:1-11; I Corinthians 12:3-7,12-13; and John 20:19-23.

By Msgr. William Carr

The Greek word “pentecostes” means “fiftieth.” On the fiftieth day after Passover, Jews celebrated the “Feast of Weeks” or “Pentecost.” The celebration commemorated the Covenant of Mt. Sinai. Fifty days after leaving Egypt, the Israelites arrived at Mt. Sinai. There they encountered the Lord in fire and wind and quaking. There the Lord gave them his Holy Law, and they pledged that they would be loyal to him. At the time of Jesus, this festival also had “overtones” of the inclusion of non-Jews (Gentiles) in salvation. They believed that somehow the Lord would bring all peoples and nations to worship him at his holy temple.

With this background, we can appreciate the powerful coming of the Holy Spirit fifty days after Easter. The “signs” of quaking and fire recall the covenant of Sinai; this is the inauguration of the new covenant! The apostles had expected that everything would be perfect when Jesus came again in glory. He comes in the Holy Spirit with power and changes timid men into bold men; he changes the crass into the wise; he changes the weak into the strong; and the sinful into the holy ones. They are not perfect, but they are to be the loyal witnesses to Christ. They go forth to proclaim that salvation has come to all peoples. The various groups mentioned in the first reading are a summary of all the peoples known in the Mediterranean world.

The Church is made up of imperfect people; otherwise there would be no need for the Sacrament of Reconciliation or Penance described in the gospel. But we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to become faithful witnesses of Jesus Christ. Each of us has received unique and distinct gifts of the Holy Spirit. The Lord calls us to use these for the common good and for the building up of the Church in the unity of love.

Let us rejoice in this “birthday of the Church.” Let us renew our commitment to use our gifts to spread the good news of Jesus Christ to every person.