FEAST OF PENTECOST

The readings of today’s liturgy – liturgy of the feast of Pentecost – are full of insights on the work of Holy Spirit.

• Paul (1 Corinthians 12:3-7,12-13) tell us that faith in Jesus Christ not possible, but through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He is the one who leads us to Christ, enlightening our minds to recognise him and opening our hearts to accept him as the Son of God, who came to save us.
• After the resurrection, Jesus’ disciples were no more than a closed group, gathering in secret and living in fear. They had not the strength and the courage to come into the open, to address the crowds and to give witness to Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit change all that. Their hearts were fired up and their voices were raised to proclaim that Jesus is Lord and Saviour and to give witness that he is alive.
• On the day of Pentecost (Act 2:1-11), the disciples went through an extraordinary experience. The Holy Spirit, like a strong wind, forced the doors open and filled them with a zeal that nothing could extinguish. The discipleship of Jesus Christ cannot be hidden or reduced to privacy of our rooms or the secrecy of our hearts. The message of the Gospel – the good news of God’s Love and mercy, who redeems us in Jesus Christ – must be proclaimed everywhere and to everybody. 
• And they spoke in tongues, so all peoples of the world can hear the message and proclaim their faith in Jesus Christ. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is universal; it must be addressed to all, because his salvation is offered to all. In the old story of the Tower of Babel, people wanted to storm God’s place and take it by force. That arrogance brought out division and insurmountable differences. Speaking different languages, they went their own ways. Guided by the Holy Spirit and strengthened by his power, the different languages and cultures are no more a barrier separating people; instead, they are the building blocks of a new society called to unity built on love and truth.
• Finally, according to John’s Gospel (Jo 20:19-23), the Holy Spirit makes reconciliation possible. The ministry of reconciliation is entrusted to the Church, and the Church must be an instrument of reconciliation and peace.