Pentecost Sunday

May 23, 2010

Acts 2, 1-11
1 Cor 12, 3-7.12-13
Jn 20, 19-23

Pentecost Sunday is not only a celebration of an historical event but also a reminder of the continuous and extraordinary intervention of God into our lives. This is something that we experience, an ongoing reality that touches us every single day of our lives.

The readings today tell us that there are several Spirit-experiences.

The first Spirit-experience is in the Gospel. Jesus gives his Spirit to his disciples who are cowering in fear behind locked doors. As followers of Jesus, they are afraid they may have to face arrest or even worse. Suddenly, Jesus appears in their midst. He gives them the usual Jewish greeting ‘Shalom’ filled with meaning and great significance. The disciples, who were just terrified, are now filled with joy. Jesus tells them: “As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.” The disciples have a mission to do and it is exactly what Jesus himself came to do – to establish the Kingdom on earth. Jesus now breathes on them. His breathing into the disciples is a kind of creation. They are re-created into the ‘new person’, a person filled with the Spirit of Jesus and mandated to continue his work.

The second Spirit-experience is described in Luke’s account in the Acts. There is the powerful wind, the tongues of fire over each one in the place, an indication of God’s power and presence. No longer afraid, the disciples were deeply inspired to share what they have experienced, to share their knowledge but, even more, their experience of Jesus. They are no longer intimidated by the threats of prison or torture. The disciples are given the power to communicate their message, heard and understood by all.

Just like these two Spirit-experiences, the reality of the Pentecost is constant and effective to each of us. The Spirit of God is the source of the special gifts and charism we receive. However, it is important to note that these gifts are not given as a personal grace. They are rather special abilities by which each one of us serves the needs of the community. It is important for us to work together, using our gifts and help build up the community to which we belong. We witness to that Spirit by our word and example and invite others to share the same. After the coming of the Holy Spirit, the disciples did not stay in that room contemplating and savoring what they had been given. The disciples went out to tell the world how much God loves everyone and how he wants everyone to experience that love. Filled with God’s spirit, we can do the same.

Fr. Sonny de Rivera, SVD
Rome, Italy
The Word in Other Words