Solemnity of Pentecost
Today we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost, the birth of the Church and the descent of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost is a very important feast in the liturgical life of the Church, because it celebrates the gift of the Holy Spirit, Who comes to dwell within each one of us at our baptism. Confirmation is of course the Sacrament which helps us unlock the full potential of the gifts of the Spirit in our lives as Christians. But the importance of the gift of the Spirit in our lives, and thus in the life of the Church, is what makes Pentecost such an important celebration.
The Holy Spirit is God living within us, making us true temples of the living God. The Holy Spirit makes us sons and daughters of God, and sanctifies us, making us grow in holiness. It is the Spirit Who intercedes for us as we pray, teaching us to pray as we ought. Without the Holy Spirit we would be bereft of that animating force which gives us supernatural life. The Holy Spirit is what moves us as Christians, convicting us of sin, and strengthening us when we need to be strengthened.
Today’s readings from the Acts of the Apostles and from St. John’s Gospel underscore Jesus’ teaching on the centrality of the Holy Spirit, and, in the case of Acts, depict the original Pentecost event where the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles who were then empowered to preach the good news. The Letter from St. Paul, either his First Letter to the Corinthians, or the other option his Letter to the Romans, likewise highlights the central role of the Spirit in our lives, unifying us as believers in Jesus, as the body of Christ, and bringing us to life as adopted children of God.
We need to continually learn to rely more upon the Holy Spirit in our lives. We need to learn how to listen better to the promptings of the Spirit. This is why we must pray to the Holy Spirit, and ask the Spirit of God to guide us, to illuminate our path, to give us the gifts we need, and to help us grow, especially in the areas in which we need the most assistance. As we enter Ordinary Time, let us rely more upon the Spirit, frequenting the Sacraments and living generous lives of charity towards those around us. It is the Spirit Who imparts the theological virtues of faith, hope and love to us. Let us ask the Spirit to help us increase in these virtues which are so important to our lives as Christians.
Starting today, let us increase our devotion to God the Holy Spirit, in the hopes of growing in our intimacy with God the Most Holy Trinity. Our relationship with the Spirit, the love between the Father and the Son, is essential in our relationship with God.
- Jeff Morrow