Christ the Cornerstone

The Holy Spirit gathers us in, sends us out on mission

“ ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’ ” (Jn 20:21-22).

The word Pentecost comes from the Greek Πεντηκοστή (Pentēkostē) meaning “fiftieth.” In the Jewish tradition, Pentecost celebrates the 50th day after Passover. We Christians celebrate Pentecost 50 days after Easter Sunday, the day when we believe the definitive Passover occurred.

For Christians, Pentecost is celebrated as the day when the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus’ disciples and they became, as Pope Francis says, “spirit-filled evangelizers.” By the power of the Holy Spirit, a timid group of undistinguished men and women were transformed into bold witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

 “On that day, the Holy Trinity is fully revealed. Since that day, the Kingdom announced by Christ has been open to those who believe in him: in the humility of the flesh and in faith, they already share in the communion of the Holy Trinity. By his coming, which never ceases, the Holy Spirit causes the world to enter into the ‘last days,’ the time of the Church, the Kingdom already inherited though not yet consummated” (#732).

The Holy Trinity is fully revealed in our observance of this solemn feast. The tender and creative love of the Father, the redemptive power of God’s Son, and the burning flame and mighty wind of the Holy Spirit come together and fill the world with sanctifying grace. As the catechism says, this infusion of divine grace inaugurates the Church, which is the sacramental sign of God’s kingdom “already inherited though not yet consummated.”

Easter Sunday is the holiest day in the Church year. It’s the day when we recall, and re-live, the mystery of our redemption. During the 50 days of the Easter season, we express our joy in countless ways and proclaim in the words of St. John’s Gospel: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life” (Jn 3:16).

Pentecost Sunday reflects the fulfillment of this sacred promise—the Father’s decision to send his only Son, the death and resurrection of Jesus, and the descent of the Holy Spirit on everyone who seeks the courage, and the joy, of Christian discipleship. When we say that Pentecost is the Church’s birthday, we mean that quite literally. It is the day when we are born again as missionary disciples, as sisters and brothers who are on fire with the love of God and who are committed to proclaiming the Gospel to all nations and peoples everywhere.

In the first reading for Pentecost Sunday, we read:

“When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim” (Acts 2:1-4).

When we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, we are given everything we need to witness to the Gospel. In spite of every obstacle, we can stand firm in our faith, and we can share the joy of the Gospel with everyone we encounter in our daily lives. As St. Paul assures us in the second reading:

“There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit” (1 Cor 12:4-7).

The Holy Spirit shows us how to witness to the Gospel in our particular circumstances. He gives us the courage to be faithful no matter what challenges we are presented with. Through the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, those who embrace and possess his gifts and fruits—as well as those whom they encounter—are transformed as witnesses to Jesus Christ.

Pentecost Sunday celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit which the catechism tells us “never ceases.”

As we observe this most holy day, let’s rededicate ourselves to being spirit-filled evangelizers who never hesitate to keep the flame of God’s presence burning brightly—in our hearts and in our world. †