Pentecost Sunday
Reading I: Acts 2:1-11
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34
Reading II: 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13
Gospel: John 20:19-23
The Feast of Pentecost is the commemoration of the descending, indwelling and transforming act of the Holy Spirit. Jesus had promised to send the Holy Spirit, whom He termed as the Advocate, the Helper, the Teacher and the Comforter. The promise was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. The consequence of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit was indeed indescribable and dramatic.
The Holy Spirit is indeed the dynamic force who transforms not only the Church but every human person. We have encountered many people whose lives were “renewed” because of the Spirit. Their eyes were opened to realize their frailty and emptiness despite material fullness and satisfaction. They realized that giving up that fullness does not make them empty but contented and happy. Pentecost is not only the feast reminding us of the coming down of the Holy Spirit fifty days after the Resurrection. It is also the birthday of the Church. For it is the Spirit who is the driving force of the Church and every baptized Christian. The Spirit which Jesus gave as a lasting gift to the apostles is the same Spirit at work in our present time
