Pentecost Sunday

May 24, 2021

May 23, 2021

Deacon Anthony J. Cincotta

Saint Mary Magdalen Parish, Media, PA

Acts of the Apostles 2:1-11

Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-31, 34

Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13

John 20:19-23

            In the first few verses of the creation story from the Book of Genesis, we read how God hovered over the vast emptiness, breathed a Spirit and there was light which culminated in the rest of creation.  Today, we celebrate the great feast of Pentecost, of God sending the Holy Spirit upon a new creation, the Church. 

            For us Christians, Pentecost is the beginning of the End Time.  God is faithful by sending the Spirit to bring about a full manifestation of the Epiphany, which is Jesus. 

            In today’s first reading from Acts, we hear the unusual story of how the early community gathered together from all different areas and languages.  There is the confusion of tongues which is known as “Babble.”  When the Spirit again hovers over their “darkness,” tongues of fire enlighten their minds and hearts with the resultant communion of spirits and understanding.

            Our second reading from 1 Corinthians, brings into focus that there is one Lord, one Spirit, but many manifestations of the Oneness.  There are many works but the same God who produces all of them in everyone.  Therefore, Pentecost is the day we celebrate the Church’s baptism.  The Spirit splashes the group of differing persons and the Church begins to be created with the same words from the Book of Genesis; “Let there be light!”

            The Gospel narrative of Saint John is the account of Jesus breathing the Spirit upon their chaos and forming them into an inspired group of leaders who will be sent into the world to establish His Church on earth.  Instead of ill-defined disorder, there is now to be peace and organization.  Goals will be set and met as the disciples move forward in their mission.  The laborers who were once few will now become many. 

            Sisters and brothers, “creation” resulted from the Spirit’s hovering and the coming in the flesh of the Word of God through Jesus Christ.  That same Spirit continues to be given, to hover, to overshadow and bless each of us.  The work of the Holy Spirit is “Sacramental.”  In the Eucharistic prayer, there is an asking of the Spirit to come upon these gifts and make them holy.  We have all kinds of names for this working out of the project of what I would like to call “the project of full-creation.”  Those words are Epiphany, revelation, manifestation, incarnation and what we might reverently simply call, “showing off.” 

            It seems to work this way; Christ became flesh through the Holy Spirit.  Through that same Spirit we, are made into Christ through our Baptism.  Our full initiation into the Catholic faith is through the infusion of the Holy Spirit through the sacrament of Confirmation.  The rest of our lives are the actions that manifest our love for Jesus by living through His Words and example; to love God and to love our neighbors.  Amen.

Question of the Day:  How will the light of God the Holy Spirt shine in you and through you as you continue to live a Sacramental filled life?

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, enkindle the hearts of the faithful with the fire of Your love.  Amen.

Prosit