Dear Parishioners and Visitors,

Pentecost is often called the birthday of the Church.This is because the coming of the Holy Spirit transformed the Apostles from being a group of followers of Christ into being the Mystical Body of Christ, the living presence of Christ in the world.

Three symbols help us understand the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives:

The Scriptural account of the first Pentecost (in Acts 2:1-11) tells us that the coming of the Holy Spirit was signaled by the sound of a strong driving wind. (Acts 2:2) Wind is invisible, like the Holy Spirit; we do not see the wind, but we see and feel its effects. The same is true of the Holy Spirit. Also, to use a simile, we could say that the wind was like the breath of God himself. (In fact, the Latin word for breath is “spiritus.”) For this reason, in the Gospel passage we will read this weekend, Jesus breathed on his disciples when he said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” (John 20:22)

The Acts of the Apostles tell us that “tongues as of fire” appeared and came to rest on each of the Apostles. (Acts 2:3) Fire shows us the warmth of love and the light of faith; these are two important aspects of the life and work of the Holy Spirit in us.

Another symbol of the Holy Spirit is found in the Gospel accounts of the Baptism of Christ. They tell us that the Holy Spirit appeared over Christ in the likeness of a dove. (Mk. 1:10) Ever since the story of Noah’s Ark, the dove has been a sign of peace for God’s People (Gen. 8:8-11); one of the clearest signs that we are being guided by the Holy Spirit is that we have true inner peace.

Besides these images, what are other ways that we discern and experience the work of the Holy Spirit? The gifts of the Holy Spirit are listed as seven: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. (Isaiah 11:1–3) The fruits of the Holy Spirit are listed as nine: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Gal. 5:22-23) We always need all of these qualities in our minds and hearts.

Of course, the Holy Spirit cannot be fully described by symbols and lists. The work of the Holy Spirit takes more forms than we can imagine. This weekend, we rejoice in the many ways that the invisible, infinitely powerful, Spirit of God works in us and around us. May all we do be guided by the Holy Spirit, the life-breath of God himself.

Blessings,

Fr. Philip