Thoughts to Live by| Pentecost Sunday

by Cardinal Orlando Beltran Quevedo, O.M.I, Archbishop-Emeritus of Cotabato

Liturgy of the Word

Acts of the Apostle 2:1-11

Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34

1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13 or Romans 8:8-17

John 20:19-23 or John 14:15-16, 23-26

The end of the last Sunday Mass today marks the end of the Easter season.

Some Notes on Pentecost Sunday

1. The Feast commemorates the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, 50 days after the Resurrection of Christ. The Greek word "pentekoste" means 50th. The descent of the Holy Spirit occured during the Jewish festival of "Shavuot," or the "feast of weeks," or Pentecost. It was known in Old Testament times as "the feast of harvest of the first fruits" or "the feast of weeks." It is the closing festival of the harvest.

2. For the Jews of today, Pentecost commemorates the Lord's giving of the Torah to Moses on Mt. Sinai. Like the Passover, it is attended at Jerusalem by a great homecoming of pilgrims from all parts of the Jewish diaspora.

3. For Christians, the Feast of Pentecost dates back to the 1st century. The descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles in the Upper Room fulfills the New Testament promise from Christ (see Lk. 24: 46-49), that the Apostles would be "clothed with power," before their mission of proclamation.

4. Pentecost is often referred to as the "birthday of the Church," because it marks the beginning of the Apostles' public ministry. The first Pope, Peter, preaches for the 1st time and converts thousands of new believers. For the first time, the Apostles and believers are united by a common command and a common purpose to go and preach the Gospel.

5. 1st Reading, Acts 2:1-11 -- "When the time for Pentecost [Shavuot] 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 where 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" (vv. 1-4).

6. Fire and wind are symbolic of God's power and presence. In Ex. 19:18, fire symbolized the presence of God to initiate the covenant on Mt. Sinai. Similarly at Pentecost, with fire and wind,

the Holy Spirit acts upon the Apostles and prepares them to proclaim the new covenant fearlessly.

7. The Jewish pilgrims "from every nation under heaven" were confused. Each one heard the Apostles speaking in his own language. "How does each one of us hear these Galileans in his own native language?'" (vv. 5-8). "We hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God" (vv. 9-11). The gift of tongues -- ecstatic prayer in praise of God -- signifies the universal nature of the Church and its worldwide mission.

8. 2nd Reading,

1 Cor. 12:3-7, 12-13 -- The Unity of Diverse Gifts of the Spirit. The power to confess Jesus as Lord can come only from the Spirit (vv. 1-3). "There are different kinds of spiritual gifts ['charismata'], but the same spirit; different forms of service ['diakonia'], but the same Lord; different workings ['energemata'], but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit" (vv. 4-7). Though we are many parts of the body, we are all baptized into one body in Christ (vv. 12-13).

9. Gospel, Jn. 20: 19-23 -- On the evening of Easter Sunday, the Risen Christ suddenly appears and stands in the midst of the disciples, who had locked the doors "for fear of the Jews" (v.19). Jesus greets them, "Peace be with you." He shows them the marks of Passion in his hands and in his side (see Ps. 22:17, "They have pierced my hands and my feet"). He shares the peace that "the world cannot give," -- "Shalom," a messianic blessing, a gift of salvation. "As the Father has sent me, so I send you." Then he breathes on them saying, "Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained" (vv. 21-23). Jesus imparts the Holy Spirit with his breath. It indicates the breath of new spiritual life coming to the apostles, recalling Gn. 2:7, where God breathed on the 1st man and gave him life. This is John's version of Pentecost.

10. We, too, have been gifted with the Holy Spirit at Baptism and Confirmation. And like the Apostles, we are sent forth to proclaim the Gospels to others by our life and deeds, through love and service.

11. Prayer - O God, by the mystery of today's great feast, you sanctify your whole Church in every nation. Pour out, we pray, the gifts of the Holy Spirit across the face of the earth, and fill now once more the hearts of all believers with divine grace, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayers, best wishes, God bless!