Article Tools
- Text Size
- Add a comment (2)
- Print this article
- Email this article
Share your faith – Join our Online Discussion! Build up others with your thoughts on our Sunday meditation. Three questions will be offered for reflection and discussion each week. Please pray through the questions and share your insights or what the Lord spoke to you in the comments area provided. Your words will inspire others in The Word Among Us community and encourage us all.
Scholars tell us that the first Pentecost took place during the Jewish Feast of Weeks. This was a festival at which the first fruits of the harvest were offered to God in thanksgiving. But on this particular day, instead of our giving our first fruits to God, he gave his first fruit—the Holy Spirit—to us.
And what an amazing gift the Spirit has been! It is his power that has kept the church on track, despite human sinfulness, for two thousand years. It is his grace that has strengthened us, revealed Jesus to us, moved us to serve, and convinced us that Jesus will indeed come back to bring heaven down to earth. To put it quite simply, Pentecost is all about the fact that Almighty God has come to live in human hearts, making ordinary people into extraordinary saints.
After Jesus rose from the dead, he appeared to the apostles and breathing on them, said, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22). Just as he did at Pentecost, Jesus wants to breathe God’s energy into our hearts every day. The spiritual dynamic that was present at that first Pentecost, moving people to love God, to seek out holiness, and to come together as a church is still at work today.
How can we tell if this breath of God is active in our lives? We will feel energized by the Spirit, and we will want to set our sights on being like Jesus. We will feel moved to go to work for the kingdom, relying on the Spirit’s power and guidance. We will try to be more loving, more kind, and more patient.
Right now, stop and take a few deep breaths. In your mind, imagine yourself breathing in the Spirit and breathing out your sin. Picture yourself accepting the Lord and his plans, and letting go of your own plans and visions. Know that what you are breathing in is pure, holy, and intoxicating. Jesus has great plans for every member of his church. And that includes you!
“Jesus, breathe on me and make me more alive to God. Come, Holy Spirit, and fill me with your life!”
Discussion Questions
1. What does Pentecost and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit mean to you personally? Have you experienced the Spirit energizing you, changing your life, or giving you a greater sense of purpose and vision?
2. Recall a time when you felt moved to share your faith with someone. How did that person respond? Ask the Holy Spirit today to fill give you new boldness to witness to your family and friends, neighbors and coworkers.
3. How are you using the gifts of the Spirit to build up God’s kingdom? What service in your parish or local community might the Spirit be prompting you to take up?
Pentacost has shown me how unworthy i am of the holy spirit the guilt is so strong in the presence of Holiness that one cant say nothing but Lord how great is your love for me, your mercies endures forever
we are given the Spirit to strengthen us in our services in this world, even though sometimes we might feel like we are fighting a loosing battle we ought to hold on, wait for the Spirit to take control.
This particular Pentacost, I experienced a renewed spirit of hope for the church. Which was no small feat, as earlier in the week I was agonizing over the much publicized report of abuse of children in church run institutions, in Ireland.
My Catholic faith was formed by my grandparents who left Ireland with nothing but that Catholic faith and it was all they ever needed. The Church was the center of their life and to see the church in Ireland plunge into the depths of darkness was overwhelming.
But somewhere along the line in mass on Sunday, I began realize that Jesus knew his church and followers would come up against much adversity in this world. He promised he would not leave us orphans, he promised he would send his Advocate, and he promised that the Spirit of truth would always be with us. (John 14:16)
For me, this Pentecost was a real sense of fullfillment in Christ’s promise to always be with us. The Spirit is here and ready to teach and guide us through the healing of the church. All we need to do, is to say yes to the Holy Spirit. Come Holy Spirit, come!
Let there be reform, let there be healing, and let it begin with me. As Jesus once said, “Get up, let us go.”