Saint Rita Catholic Church and School in Webster, NY - An Introduction to the Sunday Scripture Readings

“And Suddenly There Came From The Sky A Noise Like A Strong Driving Wind ”

Today is the celebration of Pentecost. It commemorates the decent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Jesus. In Judaism, the Festival of Weeks (Shavuot) was celebrated seven weeks and one day after the Passover. It commemorated the day God gave the Law (Ten Commandments) to the people of Israel at Mt. Sinai. Pentecost is the birthday of the Church. It is the day the Holy Spirit imparted the grace, the wisdom, and the courage to preach the Word of the risen Christ throughout the world.

Our first reading (Acts 2:1-11)tells this story vividly. Fifty days after Christ’s Passover supper, the disciples were celebrating the festival of Pentecost (Shavuot). Suddenly, the promised Advocate descended upon them as tongues of fire and enlightened and emboldened them. No longer would they cower in fear; they would now proclaim the risen Christ in Jerusalem and to the ends of the earth. Their speaking in tongues foreshadowed the preaching of the Gospel throughout the world in every tongue.

In our Epistle reading (1 Corinthians 12:3, 12-13), St. Paul explains the many different spiritual gifts and forms of service that come from the same Holy Spirit. Each of us are called in some unique way by the Spirit to do God’s will and God’s work. Together, though we are many parts, we make up one body, the body of Christ, His Church.

In our Gospel reading (John 20:19-23)Jesus appeared to His apostles in the locked upper room, where they gathered “for fear of the Jews”. He gave them His peace: “My peace be with you.” He then “breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”

This in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit is the fulfillment of Christ’s Passover and the day that “the Holy Trinity is fully revealed”(CCC 731-732). It was an earthshaking event that changed the world forever. This "Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father and the Son" (John 15:26) lives and remains active in our world today. This is our prayer today and always, "Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And you will renew the face of the earth ”

bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/052426.cfm