Pentecost Sunday’s gospel and first reading –
Today it is fitting to include the first reading, because it is from the Acts of the Apostles that we hear the story of the first Christian Pentecost, the day when Jesus established his Church which was filled with the Holy Spirit and power.
In previous encounters there was always a degree of doubt and confusion as to what was happening and what it meant for them and the Kingdom. However today we see no such confusion, no such hesitation, no such fear. The apostles are filled with the Holy Spirit and they respond.
Each of them speaks foreign languages and has the eloquence to preach using those languages. They are transformed by the gifts of the Holy Spirit and they can see that the kingdom that Jesus has been talking about is not just the Kingdom of Israel (that promise of God remains in place, for he never retracts his word) but the Kingdom of Heaven is for all people, Jew or Gentile and they have the gifts to bring those people to the kingdom.
We see in the Acts of the Apostles the early days of the Church. There were clearly very trying circumstances, but there was always, despite the circumstances, hope and joy in the Lord Jesus Christ and these are from the Holy Spirit.
Are we filled with the peace and joy that comes from the Holy Spirit? Do we wish to go out and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ? Do we wish to express our deep joy for the Church that he has established?
Let us reflect on those questions. We might fear proclaiming the Word. But did Peter and John fear proclaiming the Word in Jerusalem when the healed the sick and were arrested for speaking about the good news of Jesus Christ?
We might think negative thoughts of the Church, but the truth is that it is divinely established and is inherently good. Any problems are associated with the fallen humans who are part of it, but for each person who has harmed the Church there are thousands who have helped others become closer to God. Let us give thanks to Jesus for establishing his Church.
On this day let us open our hearts to the workings of the Holy Spirit, let the Spirit pour into us like on Pentecost and let’s see where our God leads us from that point.
Veni, Sancte Spiritus.
First reading Acts 2:1-11 ©
When Pentecost day came round, they had all met in one room, when suddenly they heard what sounded like a powerful wind from heaven, the noise of which filled the entire house in which they were sitting; and something appeared to them that seemed like tongues of fire; these separated and came to rest on the head of each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak foreign languages as the Spirit gave them the gift of speech.
Now there were devout men living in Jerusalem from every nation under heaven, and at this sound they all assembled, each one bewildered to hear these men speaking his own language. They were amazed and astonished. ‘Surely’ they said ‘all these men speaking are Galileans? How does it happen that each of us hears them in his own native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; people from Mesopotamia, Judaea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya round Cyrene; as well as visitors from Rome – Jews and proselytes alike – Cretans and Arabs; we hear them preaching in our own language about the marvels of God.’
Gospel John 20:19-23 ©
In the evening of the first day of the week, the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them, ‘Peace be with you’, and showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Lord, and he said to them again, ‘Peace be with you.
‘As the Father sent me,
so am I sending you.’
After saying this he breathed on them and said:
‘Receive the Holy Spirit.
For those whose sins you forgive,
they are forgiven;
for those whose sins you retain,
they are retained.’