“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)

The major theme for this Pentecost Sunday focuses on the Church’s birthday, the coming of the Holy Spirit like tongues of fire descending upon the disciples in the upper room, transforming them from being fearful of the Jews to becoming brave and courageous to proclaim the Good News, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to testify to the resurrection of the Lord to the world.

Pentecost, means 50, which is originally a Jewish post-harvest thanksgiving feast celebrated on the 50^th day after the Passover to commemorate God’s covenant with Noah, then with Moses on Mount Sinai. During the Passover, a bushel of barley is offered to God. But at Pentecost, two loaves of bread are offered in gratitude for the harvest. Therefore, Pentecost contains a sense of transformation and fulfillment as symbolized by the change of barley into loaves of bread.

Christian disciples celebrate Pentecost with different meanings because of their experience of receiving the Holy Spirit. Empowered by the divine presence and gifts, the fearful apostles are transformed into courageous missionary preachers and evangelizers, proclaiming and defending Christian faith, hope and love for the Risen Christ, even to the point of dying as martyrs, boldly sharing and carrying the Good News to the end of the world, obtaining the initial success of baptizing 3,000 people in Jerusalem.

God does not want us holding a relationship of Transaction but Transformation. Therefore, Dynamic Christian disciples are those who (1) BELIEVE, (2) GROW, (3) SERVE, (4) LOVE and (5) LEAD others to Jesus. Today’s topic invites us to welcome the Holy Spirit in our lives and to appreciate and develop the gifts of the Holy Spirit to produce its’ many good fruits to renew our lives to glorify God.  

How can we help each other cultivate the Holy Spirit of forgiveness, compassion, patience, tolerance, magnanimity, justice, peace and mercy of God?   

Wishing everyone a blessed week in the Lord.