May 31

Date: May 31, 2020 (Solemnity)

The Solemnity of Pentecost Sunday

My friends and I when we were in theology used to tease each other whenever someone’s celebrating a birthday. We say “O, thank God, you have a birthday! What would you be if you were not born?” We thank God because it’s a privilege to be born and become part of God’s plan. Out of billions of potential souls, we were the chosen ones. I’d like to think of the church as something with a birthday because birth connotes life. There’s nothing dearer to us in this world than life. In fact, we shelter ourselves in our respective homes from coronavirus knowing that this virus is a dangerous threat to life. We follow the Lord because out of so many great men in history, He is the only person who can guarantee us True Life. That is how precious life is for us. And let us thank God, for by the power of the Holy Spirit, we came into being and we have this life to enjoy.

Today is Pentecost Sunday, the celebration of the birth of the church. God unfolds to us in today’s celebration the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit. Upon His descent to the disciples, the church was born, and through His in-dwelling, the church was sustained and nurtured throughout all generations.

I’d like to share three key-points to ponder on as we recall this defining moment of the life of the community of the disciples: We may put them in three keywords—Holy Spirit, Gifts, and Mission.

First: (the presence of the Holy Spirit) Jesus was not only talking to us about the Father and His intimate relationship with Him; He was also revealing to us the Holy Spirit. The Lord wants us to know that the Holy Spirit is an active presence. The Third Person of the Trinity is Jesus’ most trusted and faithful Advocate throughout His public ministry. In fact, in the event of His leaving to the Father, Jesus keeps on reassuring His disciples not to be afraid because He will send us the Holy Spirit. Jesus radiates a certain level of confidence when He spoke of the Holy Spirit. Why? Because the certainty of the fruitfulness and help of the Holy Spirit was very evident in all of Jesus’ works. Jesus was able to accomplish His mission in an awe-inspiring fashion and in the heights of success, with the Father and the Holy Spirit behind Him.

Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit all came true. There were no empty words. In the event of the Pentecost, the disciples were never the same again. They became courageous and filled with gifts as just Jesus promised. In the midst of them, the Holy Spirit works as the unseen and immeasurable presence of God in their lives. The spirit animates the disciples to do the work of the Gospel of the Risen One; the spirit makes them more obedient and trusting in the will of God, the spirit lives in them and transforms them to be instruments of life and love to the broken world. The fruits were so real that the first Christian community was so attractive and drawing so many to join them. People know they are Christians by their love; and we know it was by the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

Second; (the Gifts) the Holy Spirit descends upon the apostles and fills each one with different gifts. The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are a perfect gift the church could ever have from the Lord. It is a great treasure that will make a big difference in the world if we allow it to grow and have life in us. It is worth noting to see the differences and uniqueness of each gift. The multiplicity of the gifts allows us to live in unity despite diversity. There is one source but different gifts. One truth but different expressions. One Word spoken in different languages. One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church in manifold dioceses throughout the whole world. In fact, it was a significant breakthrough for the church to be able to translate the Latin form into different languages. The church is the people of God with rich charism whereby each one can participate according to his/her gift, in the ministry that fits him/her right. It’s the Holy Spirit that inspires unity and diversity in the church.

Third: (The Mission) At the conclusion of the gospel, Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” and He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Let us realize that the event of the Pentecost signaled the beginning of her missionary activities and know that the church is not without her mission. Today’s feast is a wonderful celebration of the missionary Church. Let us reflect on our missionary efforts in our homes, schools, and workplaces, most especially in our parish church. How are we willing to demonstrate that we are serious about our commitments to our baptismal promises which we reaffirmed during our reception of the sacrament of Confirmation?

On a final note: The feast of Pentecost celebrates a promise fulfilled. It acknowledges that the Holy Spirit is at the heart of the Church’s life. Confident of the trustworthiness of His Promptings and Help, indeed the Church cannot ultimately fail in its task of witnessing to the compelling message of Jesus’ passion, death, and blessed resurrection. It will eventually succeed in communicating the message of God’s salvation to everyone in the world.

Story:
A pastor once heard that one of his parishioners was going about announcing to one and all that he would no longer attend church services. The rebellious parishioner was advancing the familiar argument that he could communicate with God just as easily out in the fields, with nature as his setting for worship. One winter evening the pastor called on this reluctant member of his flock for a friendly visit. The two men sat before the fireplace making small talk, but studiously avoiding the issue of church attendance. After a while, the pastor took the tongs from the rack next to the fireplace and pulled a single coal from the fire. He placed the glowing ember on the hearth. As the two watched in silence, the coal quickly ceased burning and turned ashen grey, while the other coals in the fire continued to burn brightly. The pastor's silent message was not lost on the parishioner. After a long pause, he turned to the pastor and said, "I'll be back at services next Sunday." We read in the Scriptures that 'When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together."