The Feast of Pentecost: C: June 8, 2025

 THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ON THE APOSTLES

Introduction: Today we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost: The coming of the Holy Spirit; a day of great significance for the Church. As a result of the coming of the Holy Spirit, the timid and frightened Apostles become bold and courageous. They go out to preach the Gospel to the whole world. The Holy Spirit does not stop His presence with the Pentecost. He continues to work in the Church and continues to guide the believers in the Lord Jesus. 

First Reading: Acts 2: 1 to 11

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12: 3 to 7 and 12 to 13

Gospel Reading: John 20: 19 to 23

   *First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. A detailed account of the happenings on the day of Pentecost is given. The Apostles are gathered in a particular place in Jerusalem. Suddenly, the Holy Spirit descends on them and rests on them as tongues of fire. Filled with the Holy Spirit, the Apostles speak in various tongues. People present in Jerusalem for the feast of Pentecost, from different countries, are able to listen to the Apostles in their own native language. Hence, on Pentecost day, the Holy Spirit removes all barriers and divisions among  humankind due to languages, races and cultures. He unites them in the one body of the risen Lord. 

   *Second reading is from the first letter of St. Paul to Corinthians. Paul elaborates the various gifts given by the Holy Spirit to the believers. People have different gifts, but it is the same Spirit who gives these gifts for the building up of the Christian community, which is the Body of Christ. Paul exhorts the Christians at Corinth and all of us to use these gifts for the good of all without exception. Although we are different from each other, we form one body of the risen Lord. Hence, we belong to each other in our common bond with Lord Jesus.

Receive the Holy Spirit                                                                          Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. The context is that the risen Lord meets the disciples who are fear-stricken and are hiding from the Jewish authorities. The Lord appears to them and wishes them peace and gives them the gift of the Holy Spirit. Then He sends them on His mission to the whole world. The effects of receiving the Holy Spirit are manifested on Pentecost day. They are no longer afraid of the Jews or afraid of anyone for that matter. They openly and fearlessly preach in Jerusalem about the tragic death of Lord Jesus and His glorious resurrection after three days. Hence, from that day, the disciples courageously speak as the Holy Spirit prompts them. Until the day of Pentecost, Apostles stayed behind closed doors but from that day, they launch out into the open with boldness and courage. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost has an immediate and visible effect on the early Christian community as a whole. After the death of Jesus on the cross, the disciples were in total disarray. But now, they find new strength in their oneness. They are united in mind and heart. Before Jesus departed from the world, He told the disciples that He should go, otherwise the Spirit would not come. Had He been physically present, they would never have come of age. And with the coming of the Holy Spirit, He brings out what was already inside them. His love awakens in them extraordinary energies that they themselves did not think they are capable of. It is they who have to get on with it, but He is there to inspire, encourage and guide them. Let us too open our hearts on this day to the Holy Spirit so that He brings transformation in our lives which are often lethargic and half-hearted and we become fully committed to the Lord. In this context the prayer of  St. Augustine is relevant: "Breath in me, O Holy Spirit that my thoughts may all be holy. Act on me, O Holy Spirit that my work too may be holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit to defend all that is holy. Guard me then, O Holy Spirit that I always may be holy." 

Conclusion: On Pentecost day, the risen Lord sent His Holy Spirit on  the Apostles and they became powerful witnesses and preachers of the Gospel. We too need to experience the power of the Holy Spirit to become true witnesses of the Divine Word in our daily lives.

May the Holy Spirit bless you with His heavenly gifts that you may always proclaim the Gospel with courage and conviction. Amen. 

(Kindly note: Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph is available on YouTube. Please view, like, share and subscribe to the video version on YouTube. "YouTube/Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph June 8, 2025." Thanks.)