THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ON THE APOSTLES
First Reading: Acts 2: 1-11
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12: 3-7 and 12-13
Gospel Reading: John 20: 19-23
*First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. A vivid and convincing account of the happenings on the day of Pentecost is narrated. The following details are mentioned: 1. There is a rush of a mighty wind and the appearance of tongues of fire on each of the Apostles. All of them are filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. 2. They receive the gift of tongues and are able to speak in other languages. All who are present in Jerusalem from different parts of the world are able to listen to the Apostles in their own native language. The mighty wind and tongues of fire are expressions of the powerful way in which the Spirit of God comes down on the day of Pentecost. Speaking in different languages points to the fact that all man-made barriers of languages, cultures, regions and other differences are done away with by the powerful and mighty presence of the Holy Spirit. Now onwards, God's community is united in the Spirit of God.
*Second reading is from the first letter of St. Paul to Corinthians. Paul explains to the Christian community at Corinth and to us that the Holy Spirit dispenses various gifts to the members of the Christian community. But these gifts are for the common good. Hence, by the power of the Holy Spirit all of us are baptized into the one body of Christ.
Receive the Holy Spirit Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. The risen Lord's appearance to the disciples gathered in a closed upper room is narrated. After greeting them with the words of peace and showing them His pierced hands and side, the risen Lord breaths on them and blesses them with the words, "Receive the Holy Spirit." Hence, the risen Lord infuses them with the power of the Holy Spirit to proclaim the word of God boldly and powerfully. According to the biblical tradition, the wind and the Spirit signifies the breath of God. Hence, Pentecost signifies a new creation and a new beginning. The day of Pentecost is hence the birthday of the Church. We too need the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit in order to live as true followers of Christ in these challenging times. Let our prayer be, 'Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on us.'
Bethlehem was God with us, Calvary was God for us, and Pentecost is God in us." - Robert Baer
"Pentecost is a celebration of God...... a celebration of God's power..... a celebration of God's desire to empower us and to dwell within us." - Mark Hart
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