First Reading: Acts 2:1-11
Reflection:
Pentecost was a Jewish feast that occurred 50 days after the Passover and commemorated the giving of the law to Moses and the Israelites on Mt. Sinai. On the Pentecost following Jesus’ Resurrection and Ascension, the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles and those gathered with them, bringing fulfillment to this feast by bringing the new law in the Spirit, which is written on our hearts. The descent of the Holy Spirit is depicted using Old Testament imagery. The “strong driving wind” and “tongues as of fire” are reminiscent of the encounters with God on Mt. Sinai by Moses (see Exodus 19) and Elijah (see 1 Kings 19).
There were people from every nation in Jerusalem for the Jewish feast of Pentecost (for it was one of three pilgrimage feasts, in which Jews would travel to the Holy City). The presence of the Holy Spirit was made manifest miraculously through the Apostles speaking in “different tongues.” Although the people gathered spoke many different languages, each one supernaturally understood what the Apostles were saying. This occurrence indicates a sort of reversal of what happened at the Tower of Babel, when languages were confused due to sin. Christ came to undue the effects of sin, and the Church–birthed here on Pentecost and continuously empowered and guided by the Holy Spirit–continues that mission. Sin brings about division, like it did at the Tower of Babel, but God’s grace–made accessible through Jesus’ death and resurrection and communicated to us through the power of the Holy Spirit–brings unity. The fact that people from many nations heard the message of Christ from the start of the Church indicates that the message of the Gospel has always been intended for all peoples.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13
Reflection:
To proclaim “Jesus is Lord” is the fundamental Christian message. Here St. Paul explains that it is by the power of the Holy Spirit that we are able to recognize Jesus as Lord and live accordingly. The affirmation that “Jesus is Lord” is an acknowledgement that He is God in the flesh. With this acknowledgment comes action. If we believe Jesus is Lord then we need to live accordingly. This means submitting our entire lives to Jesus, allowing Him to guide every aspect of who we are. Jesus, in fact, wants to bring us to our full potential, transforming us into the men and women He created us to be (namely, saints). It is through the Holy Spirit dwelling in us that He does this.
The Holy Spirit also gives each baptized believer “spiritual gifts” (i.e. charisms). These are for the purpose of serving the Lord and building up His body, the Church. Our call is to discern what gifts we have and then choose to use them accordingly. We have been baptized into the one body of Christ, the Church. As individual members we have a particular part to play in the body, while also all being united with each other in the mission of Christ, proclaiming Jesus as Lord through our words and deeds.
Gospel Reading: John 20:19-23
Reflection:
The resurrection appearance of Jesus recorded in this week’s Gospel occurred on Easter Sunday. Three days after Jesus’ crucifixion, the disciples were still cowering in fear. Jesus appeared to them in His resurrected form and reassured them, offering His peace, and showing them His wounds to confirm that it was indeed Him. The disciples rejoiced at this. Then Jesus gave insight into what was coming next. The disciples were to be sent out on mission. They were to take the news of Jesus’ resurrection to the world. On their own, this would have been an overwhelming and impossible task. But Jesus did not leave them alone, just as He does not leave us alone. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to guide them. This promise was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost.
Jesus also said that through the Holy Spirit the Apostles would have the authority to “forgive” and “retain” sins. Here Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Confession. The Apostles passed this ministry of forgiveness down to their successors (bishops & priests) even to today. Thus, the Sacrament of Confession originates with Jesus Himself and is guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Application:
- Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you with this helpful prayer: “Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful. And kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And you will renew the face of the earth. Lord, by the light of the Holy Spirit you have taught the hearts of your faithful. In the same Spirit help us to relish what is right and always rejoice in your consolation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.”
- Have you ever discerned what are your “spiritual gifts”? If so, how are you using those gifts to serve the Lord and build up the body of Christ, the Church? If not, prayerfully consider in what ways the Holy Spirit has gifted you and how you could put those gifts into action in service to Christ and His Church.
- In light of hearing about the institution of the Sacrament of Confession in the Gospel reading, commit to going to confession sometime soon.
