“…And
suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and
it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to
them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each 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.”
Here is
the birth of the church; what a powerful moment in our rich history.
The apostles gathered in the upper room, still fearful, now have the
courage to follow the gospel Jesus had given them. The Spirit enables
the apostles to communicate to all those gathered; each person being
able to hear in their native tongue. Such vivid language shows the
power of the Spirit that the Father sent as promised by Jesus.
What
strength we can see in the courage when it is empowered by the Holy
Spirit. Pentecost reminds us that we each have been enflamed by the
Holy Spirit. Jesus promised that he would not leave us orphans and that
the Advocate, the Spirit of Truth, would be sent out of love from the
Father. We might not experience the same thing the apostles did but it
is the very same Spirit. Once we allow the Spirit to fill our lives we
too are empowered to go out to all nations and bring the gospel
message. We each have the universal language to communicate with in the
world around us. Jesus gives us the hint of what that language is in
the gospel today. Jesus twice tells his frightened friends; “Peace be
with.” He reveals himself to them and calms their fears.
Jesus
calls them to move from fear to mission. As the Father has sent him, so
now he comes to send his apostles. Once again he gives them the Spirit
and a challenge in their ministry. They are given the power to forgive
or retain sins. What an awesome responsibility to have placed into
their lives. No wonder Jesus gave them his peace and the Holy Spirit.
This command was something that they must not take lightly. The
apostles will have to rely on what the Master had taught them. I
believe that if they reflect on Jesus’ life they will do more forgiving
than retaining of sins.
Pentecost Sunday is a time not only to remember our roots but it is also
a time to remember our mission. We are called to receive the Peace of
the risen Lord, breathe in the Holy Spirit, and continue the spreading
of the Good News. We are a people who know sin but we also know the
compassionate forgiveness that the Father has shown us through his Son,
our brother Jesus. We are called out of our locked rooms, empowered by
the Holy Spirit, to be Christ for one another. When we humbly embrace
the gifts of the Spirit we can then become an instrument of peace and
healers of hurts.
Our
church is filled with a richness of many wonderful gifts. As the Spirit
empowers those gifts to be shared, our church can continue to grow. The
Holy Spirit is always present in the church but it is up to each of us
to recognize it in our own life; in the Body of Christ, the Church. It
is easy to complain and say that the Spirit is not alive in the church
these days of turmoil, but that would be so wrong. Jesus will not go
back on his promise; the Spirit will remain to guide and give us courage
to continue his work; the work of the Father.
As we
celebrate this feast of Pentecost let us rejoice because God has chosen
us to be his very own. He has given us the Holy Spirit to empower us to
remain faithful and continue to build the Body of Christ. When we have
experienced the Spirit setting our hearts on fire we can pass that
passion on to others. When we become compassionate as the Father is
compassionate we will learn how to best forgive one another’s sins.
Jesus did not come into the world to condemn it but to bring it to the
fullness of salvation by the forgiveness of our sins. The Spirit is
always ready to touch our lives and give us the Spirit of Truth that
will set us free. Are we willing to accept the gift from the Spirit and
carry on the mission that Jesus has given his disciples? Let us
encourage one another by our prayers, our works of charity, and our love
for the Body and Blood of Christ. Let us be about the building of the
kingdom.