Pentecost (B)

Then There Appeared to Them Tongues as of Fire (Acts 2:1-11)

Last Sunday we celebrated the Ascension, although it is traditionally celebrated on a Thursday. If you count the days, the Ascension takes place 40 days after Resurrection.

Today is the Pentecost and it is celebrated 10 days after Ascension or 50 days after the Resurrection. Why is the feast today called Pentecost? Because Pentecost is derived from the Greek word for “50 “.

If we recall the Ascension of Christ into heaven on the solemnity of the Ascension Day, what do we recall on the solemnity of Pentecost? The coming down of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles. And that event was read in the first reading.

But if you listened to the Gospel, you will be surprised to learn that the Holy Spirit had already come to the Apostles 50 days before, that is, on the evening of the Resurrection.

In other words, the Holy Spirit came down twice. The first was the coming on the evening of Easter. It was a private event. The second was the coming 50 days later. This time it was a public event.

Private Pentecost

The Holy Spirit was given to the Apostles in connection with the power to for-give sins. This means that it is the Holy Spirit who makes confession effective in forgiving sins. And since it is He who makes confession effective, confessing even to a priest in mortal sin can bring about the forgiveness of your sins.

Public Pentecost

The obvious effect of the coming down of the Holy Spirit was speaking in tongues. People from different countries heard the Apostles preaching in their own language.
In the early church and in the charismatic renewal, there is the phenomenon called glossolalia, which is the Greek for speaking in tongues.

A long time ago I had the experience of being baptized in the Holy Spirit with other SDBs. That was how it was called in those days. One of us suddenly started speaking in a strange language. Nagtayuan ang mga balahibo ko sa braso.

Another effect of Pentecost was to transform the apostles from cowards to brave men. Remember they were hiding in the upper room for fear of the Jews. Now they did not only go out but they also dared to preach about Jesus Christ risen from the dead.
Pentecost day when the apostles left the upper room in order to publicly preach about Jesus Christ has been considered the day the Church was born in the world. In other words, on Pentecost Day we also celebrate the birthday of the Church.

LESSON

A prayer goes like this: Send forth your Spirit and You shall renew the face of the earth. What does renew mean?

Some Catholics join the charismatic renewal and call themselves renewed Catholics. What does renewal and renewed mean? I think this is what they mean. Before their faith was weak or asleep. But now their faith is alive and energized. There is commitment and enthusiasm.

I have a classmate who has been working in Tondo for the past 12 years. He is tired and he feels drained. Now that his term as Rector is over he has requested to participate in renewal programs. What does renewal mean? I think he feels as if he is a discharged battery. He wants to be recharged again. He wants to be energized so that he can again work tirelessly for God.

The Holy Spirit renews the face of the earth. He can transform people. He can change lives. If you feel you need renewal, invite the Holy Spirit into your life. Ask him. Pray to him.