STRENGTH AND LOVE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT - 6/5/22 (Solemnity of Pentecost Sunday)

Acts 2:2-4

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. 

John 20:19,23

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them,

and whose sins you retain are retained.”

For the full readings, click here: 

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/060522-day.cfm

Blessed Pentecost Sunday! Today, we commemorate the time of the descent of the Holy Spirit to the apostles. This was also the day of the birth of the Catholic Church since this was the time when the apostles proclaimed the good news to many people. Some of us today may hope to be present with the apostles in order to witness the Holy Spirit. And yet, we receive the same Holy Spirit during our baptism, and the gifts that we receive from that sacrament is strengthened in the sacrament of confirmation. In the first reading, we see at least two signs that signify the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the strong driving wind and the tongues of fire. 

What does the strong driving wind signify? The wind is used to represent the Holy Spirit, and we are like the ones who are blown by the wind. This means that if we truly want to follow the will of God, we should allow the Holy Spirit to work in us. However, we do not have the strength on our own to do what is pleasing to God. Because of our weaknesses, we always fall to our sins. As such, the strong driving wind signifies that the Holy Spirit grants us His strength for us to do the will of God, especially in proclaiming the truth of Christ's teachings. When the apostles were first preaching the gospel, they encountered numerous pagan nations. They also proclaimed the good news of salvation to the Jews. 

Today, we are facing the threat, not of a pagan culture, but of a very secularized culture. The Catholic Church is under attack by worldly ideologies that are contrary to the teachings of Christ, and it's unfortunate that even some Catholics believe in them. There are many abortion advocates who mock us for our beliefs despite the fact that we simply uphold the dignity of life. We do not have an absolute freedom to do everything in our bodies because our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit. People also oppose us because we stand up for the dignity and definition of marriage as an indisolluble institution that is only between a man and a woman. While we are dedicating the month of June to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, many people around the world celebrate the "pride month."

In the gospel reading, the doors of the disciples were locked because of their fear of the Jews. Like them, we may be afraid of the constant pressure of the world to the point that we become discouraged of our faith. We may even scandalize others by supporting false ideologies because of our fear to offend others or be mocked. But, we should remember that it's the Holy Spirit who will transform us and strengthen us in this spiritual battle for truth. The apostles also received the tongues of fire. These symbols represent the fire of the love of the Holy Spirit for us. We need the grace from God to defend the truth and share the truth with others, but our actions should be done out of love for God, not out of hatred of others. 

When there are opportunities to defend or share the teachings of the Catholic Church with others, let's do it with gentleness and charity. And, our proclamation of the gospel is not just exclusive to the teachings of Jesus, but we are also preaching by example when we are speaking to people. Do we do it out of love or do we say negative words towards them? The Merciful Love of the Holy  consumes all of our sins in the sacrament of confession if we have examined that we have grave sins or even venial sins habitually. If we are already confirmed, may we deepen our trust with the Holy Spirit by always turning to God in prayer. If we have not yet received the sacrament of confirmation, let's consider having it despite the fact that some of us are not yet married. This sacrament is not merely a ritual or process just to be married. It is an encounter with the Holy Spirit, so that the gifts of holy fear of the Lord, wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, fortitude and piety may be strengthened in us.

Amen +

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with us always until the hour of our death. Amen. +

 

May the Lord + bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. +  

Reflection by: Dominic