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IT IS CELEBRATION TIME!

Today we commemorate the birth of the Church. It is Pentecost, the day, some two thousand years ago, when the Holy Spirit came to the Apostles and breathed energy and animation into their faith. Today’s
celebration marks one of the most significant times in all history. It celebrates the day when the Apostles, moved and strengthened by the Holy Spirit, accepted the mission entrusted to them by Jesus—to bring the message of God’s love and salvation to all nations. When the Holy
Spirit appeared, a Spirit which strengthened the disciples and fired up their zeal, the Church really took on a new dimension. It was on Pentecost when the disciples began declaring to all people that Jesus is the Savior of the world.

On that day of Pentecost, the doors of the Upper Room were flung open and have stayed open, as the Holy Spirit has been renewing the zeal and dedication of Christ’s followers ever since.

The Holy Spirit works in each of us to help us recognize the hand of God in our lives, to help inspire us, to help us see the blessings we receive. Let us ask ourselves, as we rejoice at Pentecost, what might this celebration mean in terms of our future?--that is, as we leave the church today?

• One thing it might mean is that we would be more
conscious of the Holy Spirit working in our lives
and more appreciative of the gifts we receive from
the Spirit.

• Another thing the celebration of Pentecost might
mean is a renewed respect and love for our Church.
It may have its human flaws, but it was established
by the Son of God and has been led by the Holy
Spirit for more than two thousand years. Giving
thanks and showing respect for the Church is a very
appropriate response to Pentecost.

• Finally, Pentecost Sunday is a day we might check
the doors of our own Upper Room. Are the doors
open, or are we hiding our faith where no one can
challenge us on it? Are we carrying the message
of our salvation and the salvation of the world to
others? Are we afraid of being labeled strange
or radical if we speak about God and what his
presence in our life means?

Today, Pentecost, is the day to begin to be more open, more daring, more giving as we tell the world the wonders of our lives as believers in Christ.

Fr. John J. Paladino

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