THE FEAST OF PENTECOST
The Feast of Pentecost, being the feast of the Holy Spirit, is at the same time the feast of the Church, which was born of the Spirit and go on living, guided, strengthened and protected by the Spirit.
The Spirit that leads us to Christ and unites us with him makes of the Church a special community, the community of the followers of Jesus Christ, who live in the world as passers by, walking steadfastly to the Promised Land, the Kingdom of God, where, being one with Christ, we will become true reflections of the glory of God.
As a community filled with the Spirit of Jesus Christ, we are called to be light and salt of the world, helping people to find the way and to discover meaning for their lives, by leading them to Christ. This community of believers stands out as a witness of Jesus Christ and proclaims the Good News of salvation, which we receive in him.
As a community filled with the Spirit, the Church must be a community of reconciled people, building up peace and communion in a world torn by divisions; being yeast of love, the Church must overcome selfishness and hatred.
The Holy Spirit comes to us as the Spirit of wisdom, knowledge, courage and boldness, which enable us to be true witnesses of Jesus Christ; and he comes as the Spirit of love, making it possible for us to think of the others, caring for them more than for ourselves. Only the Holy Spirit can enable us to love with the same courage, determination and selflessness as Jesus loved.
In the Church, born on the day of Pentecost, peoples of all languages can feel at home and become one family. Race, tribe and nation are no more sources of division and separation. In Christ, we become one body, having received one and the same Spirit, who ties us together with strings of love. This universality and this openness come from the Holy Spirit, who transforms us from within, grafting us in Jesus Christ, and in him, making of us children of God.
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