Commentary: Pentecost originally was a Jewish feast that occurred 50 days after the Passover celebration and commemorated the giving of the law to Moses on Mt. Sinai, along with offering the first fruits of the spring harvest to the Lord. On the Pentecost following Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles and those gathered with them, bringing fulfillment to this feast by bringing the new law in the Spirit, which is written on our hearts. The descent of the Holy Spirit is depicted using Old Testament imagery. The “strong driving wind” and “tongues as of fire” are reminiscent of the encounters with God on Mt. Sinai by Moses (see Exodus 19) and Elijah (see 1 Kings 19). The presence of the Holy Spirit manifested itself miraculously through “different tongues.” As the context reveals, this indicates that the Apostles were supernaturally able to speak in many languages and be understood by the diverse crowd. This evidences the Holy Spirit’s role in bringing unity to the people of God. Sin separates but the Spirit unites. The fact that the diverse crowd, representing many nations and languages, could understand each other served as a reversal of what happened at the Tower of Babel back in Genesis 11. At that time, due to sin, people were separated by various languages. At Pentecost, due to grace and the power of the Holy Spirit, people who would have been separated by language and nationality were brought together. This unity is a characteristic of the Church. Pentecost traditionally marks the beginning of the Church and reminds us that the Church is meant for all peoples. In fact, the word “Catholic” means “universal,” indicating that it crosses societal, ethnic, and linguistic barriers. In the Church, we all speak the same “language” because we profess the same faith, despite our many differences.
Commentary: To proclaim “Jesus is Lord” is the fundamental Christian message. Here St. Paul explains that it is by the power of the Holy Spirit that we are able to recognize Jesus as Lord and live accordingly. The affirmation that “Jesus is Lord” is an acknowledgement that He is God in the flesh. With this acknowledgment comes action. If we believe Jesus is Lord then we need to live accordingly. This means submitting our entire lives to Jesus, allowing Him to guide every aspect of who we are. Jesus, in fact, wants to bring us to our full potential, transforming us into the men and women He created us to be. It is through the Holy Spirit dwelling in us that He does this. The Holy Spirit gives each baptized believer “spiritual gifts.” These are for the purpose of serving the Lord and building up His body, the Church. Our call is to discern what gifts we have and choose to use them accordingly. We have been baptized into the one body of Christ, the Church. Although there are as many distinct parts of the Church as there are individual members, each bringing unique gifts, we are all united in the one Church of Christ. The Holy Spirit, and the truth that He guides us into, is the cause and sign of our Christian unity.
Commentary: The resurrection appearance of Jesus recorded in today’s Gospel occurred on Easter Sunday. Three days after Jesus’ crucifixion, the disciples were still cowering in fear. Jesus appeared to them in His resurrected form and reassured them, offering His peace, and showing them His wounds to confirm that it was indeed Him. The disciples rejoiced at this. Then Jesus gave insight into what was coming next. The disciples were to be sent out on mission. They were to take the news of Jesus risen from the dead to the world. On their own, this would have been an overwhelming and impossible task. But Jesus did not leave them alone—just as He does not leave us alone. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to guide them. This promise was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. Jesus also said that through the Holy Spirit the Apostles would have the authority to “forgive” and “retain” sins. Here Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Confession. The Apostles passed this ministry of forgiveness down to their successors (bishops & priests) even to today. Thus, the Sacrament of Confession originates with Jesus Himself and is guided by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Taking it Home:
Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you with this helpful prayer: “Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful. And kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And you will renew the face of the earth. Lord, by the light of the Holy Spirit you have taught the hearts of your faithful. In the same Spirit help us to relish what is right and always rejoice in your consolation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.”