Dear Parishioner,

      Pentecost is the third and final great feast of the Church’s year. The Nativity of Our Lord, the Easter Triduum including the Sunday of his Resurrection and, now, the sending of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles mark the pivotal events in the process which has changed the world forever. The Holy Spirit came down on the Apostles at the Jewish Feast of Weeks, fifty days after Passover. This was originally a harvest celebration which was later associated with the giving of the Covenant on Mount Sinai: the Ten Commandments. Thus, the gift of the Holy Spirit is the seal of the New Covenant. This why Our Lord tells his disciples: “He will lead you to the complete truth”. The Ten Commandments themselves are a guide to living in Christ because they are from his Father.  The Holy Spirit guides us more specifically 1) in so far as the Spirit inspires and guides the Church, including her teaching Magisterium, and 2) the Holy Spirit guides each of us if we are prepared to listen through honest daily prayer and reflection.

     Pentecost is often called the “Birthday of the Church.” The Church was already being formed during Christ’s public ministry, through his calling of the apostles and his teaching but the Church was made manifest to the world on Pentecost through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Thus begins the age of the Church, in which Christ continues to act through the sacraments and the liturgy. The Holy Spirit transformed the spirit of the Apostles. Before Pentecost, they were afraid. After Pentecost, Peter stands before the crowd and preaches Christ crucified and risen. About three thousand people are baptized that day.

      Just as we renewed our baptismal promises at Easter, at Pentecost we might remember our Confirmation when we were sealed with the Holy Spirit. This gift enabled us to live as adult Christians, centered on Christ and loving our neighbour as ourselves. 

     At Pentecost the liturgical colour is red. Red symbolizes the fire of the Holy Spirit, recalling the tongues of fire that rested on the apostles. It also represents zeal, courage, and the willingness to bear witness to Christ. How are we going deepen and extend our witness to Christ? What practical things can we do? How can we respond to things which are difficult for us?  In the words of St. Paul’s letter to the Galatians: “What the Spirit brings is…: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness and self-control.” May we, with God’s help in the Sacraments, make this real every day!

     Yours in Christ,