Pentecost: Birthday of the Church

Fifty days after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and ten days after His Ascension to Heaven, the disciples, together with the Blessed Virgin Mary and other believers, gathered in Jerusalem, awaiting the fulfillment of the Savior’s promise of the Holy Spirit.

As they were gathered in prayer and expectation, a noise came from heaven like a strong gust of wind. Tongues of flame appeared above the Apostle’s heads, and everyone upon whom the flames descended was filled with divine grace and power and felt spiritual joy and inspiration. This experience, known as Pentecost, was the foundation for what would become the Church.

From the moment of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit enlightened the apostles and became their assured source of grace and truth. The Feast of Pentecost, however, is not only the commemoration of an historical event, but also a celebration of a present reality: the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit in the Church. The same presence of the Holy Spirit that empowered the Apostles on Pentecost is the grace we receive during our participation in the mysteries (sacraments) of the Church. And it is by this grace that we are spiritually reborn and transformed.

On this Feast of Pentecost, may you experience the Holy Spirit descend on you and may you be empowered to live in the presence of God’s grace each and every day of your life!

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