Thursday, May 17, 2018

Pentecost Sunday :B: 20th May 2018

"DESCENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT"

First Reading : Acts 2: 1-11
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12: 3-7 , 12-13
Gospel Reading: John 20: 19-23

   * First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. This passage gives us a vivid and forceful account of the happenings on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem.
The following details are mentioned.
1. There was a rush of a mighty wind and appearance of tongues of fire on each of the Apostles present. All of them were filled with the mighty power of the Holy Spirit. 2. They received the gift of tongues and were able to speak in other languages. Everyone present was able to hear in their own native language.
The mighty wind and tongues of fire are expressions of the powerful way in which the Spirit of God came down on the day of Pentecost. Speaking in different languages points to the fact that all man made barriers between humankind due to languages, culture and other differences are removed by the mighty presence of the Holy Spirit and God's community is united in the Spirit.

   *Second reading is from the first letter of St. Paul to Corinthians. Paul explains to the Christians in Corinth and us that the Holy Spirit gives various gifts to the members of the community. But these gifts are for the common good. Hence by the  Holy Spirit all of us are baptised into the one body of Christ.

"Receive The Holy Spirit"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. In this passage the Risen Lord's appearance to the disciples gathered in a closed upper room is narrated. After greeting them with words of peace and showing them His pierced hands and side, the Risen Lord breathed on them and blessed them saying "Receive the Holy Spirit".
According to biblical understanding, the wind and the Spirit signifies the breath of God. Hence Pentecost signifies a new creation and a beginning. Thus the Pentecost is the 'Birthday of the Church'.
We too need the Holy Spirit in order to live as Christians in this challenging world of today. On this Pentecost, let us pray 'Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on us'.

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