Friday, May 25, 2012

Feast of Pentacost: B

"THEY WERE ALL FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT"

First  Reading: Acts 2: 1-11
Second Reading: 1 Cor. 12:3b-7,12-13
Gospel Reading: Jn 20:19-28

   * First Reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. It describes the first Pentecost experience of the disciples during which Holy Spirit came down upon them in a mighty way. The disciples who were timid and frightened after the death of Jesus became filled with Holy Spirit and were transformed into courageous and charismatic witnesses of the Risen Lord. They were able to speak to people of all languages and cultures who were at Jerusalem on the first Pentecost. They boldly communicated the good news of salvation to the people.

   * Second Reading is from the first letter of St. Paul to Corinthians. Paul instructs the people of Corinth that Holy Spirit is active in people. We are all baptised into one body and were all given to drink of the one Spirit. It is Holy Spirit who inspires various gifts , ministries and works in the Chruch.

"Receive the Holy Spirit"
Today we celebrate Pentecost, coming of the Holy Spirit on the Apostels. Gospel reading is from St. John which speaks about breath and life. The risen Lord appeared to his disciples in the upper room where they were locked inside. After greeting them , he breathed on them and said "Receive the Holy Spirit". According to biblical understandig, wind and spirit signified the breath of God. At Pentecost , by words breath and spirit signifies a new creation and a new beginning. Hence Pentecost is the birthday of the Chruch.
Before the day of Pentecost, the disciples were huddled together behind closed doors, paralysed by fear and confusion and hesitancy. They could only wait and pray.
But with the coming of the Holy Spirit , His fire was kindled in their hearts and His wind drove them out into the streets to proclaim the good news. That was the beginning of the Church's mission to make disciples of all nations. What those first discipless began is yet to be finished . That is why we need a new coming of the Holy Spirit.

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