Pentecost

My dear friends in Christ,

This weekend, the Church celebrates Pentecost, one of the most important feast days of the year that concludes the Easter Season and celebrates the beginning of the Church. Pentecost always occurs 50 days after the death and resurrection of Jesus, and ten days after His ascension into heaven. Because Easter is a moveable feast without a fixed date, and Pentecost depends on the timing of Easter, Pentecost can fall anywhere between May 10 and June 13. In the Christian tradition, Pentecost is the celebration of the person of the Holy Spirit coming upon the Apostles, Mary, and the first followers of Jesus, who were gathered together in the Upper Room. A “strong, driving” wind filled the room where they were gathered and tongues of fire came to rest on their heads, allowing them to speak in different languages so that they could understand each other. It was such a strange phenomenon that some people thought the Christians were just drunk — but Peter pointed out that it was only the morning, and said the phenomenon was caused by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit also gave the Apostles the other gifts and fruits necessary to fulfill the great commission — to go out and preach the Gospel to all nations.

Many (including myself) feel like they have been “holed up” due to the pandemic. As life begins to return to normal, we pray for the spirit to intercede for us. We are thankful and called to continue the mission of spreading the Good News to all we meet.

May God bless you all,

Father John