Pentecost Sunday

Readings: 1Acts 2,1-11, Romans 8, 8-17, John 14, 15-16,23-26

Today is the Pentecost Sunday. The celebration of our birthdays is always a moment of great joy and feast. We have great reason to be happy, to celebrate, and to exchange good wishes because today is the birthday of the Holy Mother Church. Easter is the feast of the light, of the new life that begins with Christ's resurrection. Pentecost is the celebration of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. it marks the beginning of the new covenant, and the birth of the public life of the church.

Our first reading relates the events of the coming of the Holy Spirit as a great manifestation of the God's power. The speaking in different tongues that were understood by all the Jews that came to Jerusalem for the celebration of the feast of Pentecost was a miracle. it was a dear manifestation of the mission of the Universal Church. It is a call for the church to be a sign of human unity. This is irrespective of race, color or language.

In the Second reading, Paul reminds us of the fact that, by virtue of our "Pentecostal experience" today, an indelible mark had been p0laced upon us. hence, we have been specially configured for God's mission. This means that it is the Holy Spirit that gives life and directs our mission. Therefore, through today's our pouring of the Holy Spirit, we are truly and fully marked as God's Children. Though adopted, we are fully heirs to God's throne and heritage.

The Gospel reminds us of the principal roles of the Holy Spirit. These include: advocating, teaching, and reminding us of the things we ought to know. However, for this to be possible, we must be ready to cooperate with him. he can only advocate for us if we trust him, and allow him to be in charge of our case. he can o0nly teach us if we pay attention to his counsels. He can only remind us of the thing we ought ot know, if we humbly, and willing say to him all the time: "Help me because I am ignorant. Enlighten the eyes of my mind, O Holy Spirit."

What then will the Holy Spirit that we have received today help us to accomp0lish? First, the Holy Spirit we have received today is not a spirit of fear and timidity. Instead, it is the Spirit that empowers us and makes us children of God. This means that we are now bold to call God Abba Father. the Holy Spirit is given to us in order that we might bear good fruits that will last. it was given to us in order to help and also empower others. It was also given to u7s in order to lead us into the kingdom of righteousness, peace, and to bring us to the fullness of life. So, as we rejoice at this wonderful gesture that God has extended to us today, let us ask Him for the grace to be docile to the Holy Spirit we have received.