Today we celebrate the feast of Pentecost, namely, the descent of the Holy Spirit, as promised by Jesus Christ, before his Ascension. With the descent of the Holy Spirit, the Risen Lord is made present in a new and astounding manner. So also is made present universally The Father in Heaven. Thus, The God, who created the World, who gave us life and the God who redeemed us is present in the world with the descent of the Holy spirit. In other words, Pentecost is not an addition to the glorious Resurrection, but rather, where Holy Spirit is present, God is present in a special way to give us a new experience of God in the depth of our being.
Jesus promised to send an Advocate, the Holy Spirit, to be the principle and life of the Church at the last Supper: “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name will teach you everything and remind you of all that I have told you” (John 14:26). It is in and through the Holy Spirit that the saving mystery of Christ is kept alive in us. He is empowering us to take vital decision, whenever and wherever we are confronted with destructive values and cultures.
Individually, we are strengthened to bear witness courageously to the faith that we hold in our heart. Countless Christians around the world, thus, bear witness to Christ with heroic faith in the midst of physical torture and imprisonment and others fight for justice strengthened by the same Spirit of Christ.
As we celebrate today the outpouring of the Holy Spirit which occurred in history on the day of Pentecost, let us remember that the same Spirit of God has been given to each one of us through the Sacrament of Confirmation and continues to dwell within us as the power of God. The same Spirit guides us and the Church to the knowledge of the Word of God and encourages us to continue our mission being true to our commitment either as married spouses or single adults or children or as priests and religious till the end of time.
May the Spirit of Christ animate our faith to live it courageously.
Fr. Arul Joseph V.
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