PENTECOST SUNDAY-B

I Reading: Acts 2:1-11: They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak.

II Reading: Romans 8:8-17: Everyone moved by the Spirit is a son of God.

Gospel: John 14:15-16.23-26: The Holy Spirit will teach you everything.

We celebrate today the birth-day of the Church which the second most solemn day in the year of worship the feast of Pentecost. Easter and Pentecost are the two oldest feasts celebrated in the church. Let us examine the meaning of today’s feast the word “Pentecost” is a Greek word which means “the 50^th”, in our case, “the 50^th day”:

For the Jews it meant the 50^th day after the feast of the Passover.

For the Christians, it means the feast that comes on the 50^th day after Easter.

So, this was originally a Jewish feast one of the three main festivals wich the Jews celebrated under instruction from God himself (Ex.23:14-17).

i. The feast of the Passover which occurred in March-April.

ii. The feast of Pentecost, sometime in May-June.

iii. The feast the Tents, which they kept in September-October.

These three were called “pilgrim-festivals”, because adult males living within a reasonable distance from Jerusalem, were bound to attend the worship in the Temple during those days. Out of these three, the Pentecost attracted a large number of pilgrims, as it becomes clear from today’s first reading.

1. God’s wisdom is saving man is made clear from the way he linked his saving deeds to the various festivals he himself had established in the Old Testament.

2. The meaning of a wonder worked by God on Pentecost day.

3. The work of the Holy Spirit in the Church: The birthday of the church.

          a) The Holy spirit gives life to the church.

          b) The Holy Spirit gives the church true wisdom.

          c) The Holy Spirit gives courage to the church.

          d) The Holy spirit gives the church joy.

          e) The Holy Spirit keeps the church united.

4.The Holy Spirit works within each local Christian community:

a) The Holy Spirit brought each one of us, individually, to faith in Christ.

b) The Holy Spirit moves us to pray.

c) The Holy Spirit helps us to understand God’s Word.

d) The Holy Spirit is particularly at work at the celebration of the Eucharist.

e) The Holy Spirit unites us Christians into a single body.

The Holy Spirit: Who He is, 14:15-26

There are three great Scriptures that deal with the doctrine of the Holy Spirit at length.

1. The Identity of the Holy Spirit or who He is (Jn 14:15-26)

2. The work of the Holy Spirit (Jn 16:7-15)

3. The Power of the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:1-17)

The greatest help the believers are to receive is the very presence of God Himself in the person of the Holy Spirit. It is this that Jesus now reveals. He reveals the Holy Spirit, His identity, who He is (Jn 16:7-15 where Jesus reveals the work of the Holy Spirit and the power of the Holy Spirit in Rom 8:1-17).

1. Fact: If a person loves Jesus, he will keep His commandments (v.15)

2. He is the Counselor, the Comforter, the other Helper (v.16)

3. He is the Spirit of truth (v.17)

a. The world cannot accept Him

b. The believer does receive Him and know Him

4. He is the personal presence of Christ (v.18-20)

a. A spiritual presence not a physical one

b. A living and eternal presence

c. A living union between God, Christ and the believer

5. He is the very special manifestation of Christ within the believer (v.21-22)

a. The special presence is conditional: Must obey and love Christ

b. The special presence is questioned

6. He is the abiding presence of the Trinity (v.23-24)

a. Is conditional: Must love and obey Jesus

b. Is the love and presence of God and Christ

c. Is not given to those who do not love and obey Christ

d. Is assured by God Himself

7. He is the Holy Spirit, the Teacher (v.25-26)

a. The facts

          1) He is promised

          2) He is given by the Father in the name of Jesus

b. His purpose

          1) To teach the believer all things: both the words and life of Christ, both the truth and the life, both the  Word and how to live the Word, both the theory and practice, both the principles and conduct, both the morality and behaviour.

          2) To help the believer to remember all that has been taught in the Word of God, to help especially in the moments of trail when the truth is needed (1Cor 10:13, 2:13; Lk 12:12; Jn 14:26, 16:13; 1Jn 2:27).

Thought: In the Credo of the Eucharist we say: “I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord the giver of life.” The Holy Spirit is truly our life, Christ’s most precious gift to us. The Sprit carries out His work silently and lovingly preparing us for eternal life.

Let us be grateful to the Father and to Jesus for the gift of the Holy Spirit at Baptism, Confirmation and Ordination. Let us be grateful the Spirit for His work within us and throughout our life. Let us be careful not to lose Him through serious sin.

It is the Spirit that holds us and unites us together with the seven gifts of Spirit: Isaiah 11:2-3: (Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety and Fear of the Lord)

and the fruits of the Spirit: Galatians 5:22 (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.….)

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