Pentecost Sunday
(Sunday 20th May 2018)
Let us be directed by the Holy Spirit – (John 15:26-27, 16:12-15)
On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came down on the Apostles with Mary in the upper room. Fifty days after Jesus rose from the dead on Easter morning, and ten days after Jesus ascended into Heaven and promised that He would ask His Father to send the advocate, the Holy Spirit, into the world. Jesus said ‘It is for your own good that I am going, because unless I go, the Paraclete will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.‘
When the Apostles received the Holy Spirit, they were moved from a state of deep inner fear which paralysed them into themselves, causing them to lock themselves into the upper room, to a state of hope and freedom and of courage. The Holy Spirit unlocked their fear and they courageously went out of the upper room and spoke freely about the risen Christ in the native languages of all who heard them. All the languages that God created could now be spoken and understood through the one voice of the Holy Spirit.
When rain falls on the earth its effects are multiple, taking one form in a tree, another in a plant, another in a flower and so on, becoming of that which received it. So too, the Holy Spirit of one nature, gives gifts and fruits to every person who receives him, acting differently in each person, while always remaining the one and the same, Holy Spirit. To us who receive Him, we become children of God and we are filled with His gifts and fruits, freeing us from our fears. He shares out His gifts and fruits as He wills, for our benefit and profit, making us fit and ready to undertake various tasks to build up God’s Church. Whether these gifts and fruits in each person may seem remarkable or simple, they are always to be received in gratitude and in thanksgiving since they all work for the up-building of God’s Church.
The Holy Spirit, invisible to our senses, is always present in our lives. His approach is gentle, His presence is fragrant, and His yolk is light. He comes as a true protector and comforter, to save, to heal, to teach, to admonish, to strengthen, to console and to enlighten and to lead us to the complete truth. He brings love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness and self-control. Through the Holy Spirit we become spiritual beings, glorifying God, who grants us the promise of sharing paradise with Him in Heaven.
Saint Paul in the second reading said ‘Since the Spirit is our life, let us be directed by the Spirit.’
Come Holy Spirit and fill our hearts, and enkindle in us the fire of your divine love, send forth your spirit and we shall be created and thou shall renew the face of the earth.
Fr. Noel Weir