For Pentecost

In celebration of faith
Today, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Pentecost.  We remember the moment at which, after his Resurrection, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit, as his first gift to the disciples and to those who believe the good news.  The biblical understanding of the word to remember is much more profound than just recalling something that happened in the past; not only do we recall this moment today, we also enter into it, here in this church, as we gather to celebrate the liturgy.  That means that the events we hear about in the scriptures are just as alive and present to us as they were to the disciples in the Upper Room, but what did the disciples learn from that encounter?  What wisdom can we draw from this moment so that we can be stronger in our faith, more committed to gospel truths, and more attentive to our call to love?

The Solemnity of Pentecost is the final day of the Church’s Easter season.  Every ending brings with it a new beginning, so it is by no coincidence that the gospel speaks today of Jesus’ meeting with the disciples in the Upper Room.  It was during that encounter, after his Resurrection, that he greeted them with the words we still use today: Peace be with you. Peace, Jesus’ gift to the disciples is also given to us today. 

Jesus gave another gift to his disciples on that day in the Upper Room: Receive the Holy Spirit, he told them.  The Church teaches that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Blessed Trinity, the enduring gift, given to us by God the Father, and Jesus his Son.  The Holy Spirit consoles and comforts us when we are sad, encourages and uplifts us when we are downtrodden, refreshes us when we have grown weary, and intercedes on our behalf, presenting our prayers to our Heavenly Father. 

The divine gift of the Holy Spirit is also shared this weekend with young people from the three English-speaking parishes of North Bay who are celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation.  Twenty-seven young people from this parish are taking part in this weekend’s celebrations at the Pro-Cathedral, and in two weeks’ time, we will have a chance to meet them, to congratulate them personally, and to assure them of our support for them as they continue to grow in their faith.  

As on that day in the Upper Room, the Holy Spirit, given and celebrated on the day of Confirmation, bestows the gifts of wisdom and understanding, right judgement and courage, knowledge of God, reverence for God and wonder and awe in His presence.  On the day when the disciples received these gifts, the scriptures say that they experienced a sound like the rush of a violent wind.  Divided tongues, as of fire appeared among them, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages …

When we meet the newly-Confirmed, whether here in the church or in other places, I highly doubt that we would expect them to recount stories of tongues of fire being present, or that they might speak with us in foreign languages, but we should not be surprised if this experience results in an awakening of faith for them.  In fact, we all need to eagerly welcome the Spirit’s gifts, to nurture them and to encourage them so that the light of the Risen Christ can shine all the brighter in the lives of all believers.

The gifts of the Holy Spirit, which were given to the disciples on the day of Pentecost, and which are given to us as well, are also encouraged and strengthened through the ongoing teaching in the ways of faith provided by people of faith, and by the Church.  In today’s bulletin, you will find a copy of a recently published resource furnished by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops entitled CentralThemes in Recent Church Teaching on the Environment.  Concern for the health of the environment is among the hotly discussed topics in today’s culture, therefore it’s good to see that the concerns raised in the minds of people today have long been talked about by the Church which has a history of careful attention to protecting and nurturing the gifts given by our God.

Celebrate the gift of the Spirit today.  Give thanks to God for the gift of faith.  Pray that this gift will always be strengthened through the generous cooperation of the Holy Spirit, and allow your lives to be guided by the gift of the Risen Christ who loves us beyond our capacity for understanding.  It is Christ who walks among us, who speaks gently to our hearts, encouraging us, nourishing us, consoling us and rejoicing with us in the presence of the giver of all good gifts.