Gospel: John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15
26 ‘When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. 27You also are to testify because you have been with me from the beginning. 4But I have said these things to you so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you about them.
‘I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. 5But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, “Where are you going?” 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. 7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgement: 9 about sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; 11 about judgement, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.
12 ‘I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
Pentecost, The Birth of the Church
Pentecost is celebrated fifty days (Penta means fifty) after Passover, and commemorates the Biblical Feast of the giving of the Torah (the first five books of the Old Testament, known as Moses' Law and written in Hebrew). This is one of three major pilgrimages Jewish males were ordered to observe as they went up to the Temple in Jerusalem. It is important to notice the obligations of going up to Jerusalem and visiting the Temple, offering fruits of one’s harvest, and attending a ceremony where the Ten Commandments are read in Hebrew (God's language for the Jews). The crowd was to respond in Hebrew, “We will obey and observe all that God has commanded!"
There was insistence on three major facts: the presence of Jewish males at the Temple in Jerusalem with the Hebrew Torah, the offerings, and the promise of obedience.
As of that day, according to what Jesus said, “I came to fulfill, not to abolish,” in Matthew 5:17, Pentecost has new theological and spiritual horizons. The descent of the Holy Spirit is upon human beings today. The inspired Bible is given by the Holy Spirit, sent through Jesus Christ's Crucifixion and Resurrection.
As of that day, all nations are invited to form God's One Kingdom on earth and not one nation only. There is no more concept of a certain land or place to worship God. "For God is Spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth." John 4:24
As of that day, not just Hebrew, but all languages are valuable to proclaim God's mystery of love, reconciliation and salvation. The ultimate unifying language is the one inspired by the Holy Spirit.
All nations are equal and they have free access to the Kingdom through the Sacrament of Baptism. Acts 2:41 confirms the baptism of about three thousand new believers on that day.
The same inspiring Spirit will remain present and active to lead the Church, defend the truth and refute all kinds of heresies. This fact we proclaim in our credo, “We believe in the Holy Spirit who proceeds from the Father and the Son, (or from the Father through the Son), who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who speaks through the prophets and the apostles; followed by the insistence on the holy catholic (universal) and apostolic church.
As of that day, male and female are equally loved by God and can worship together without any discrimination. As St. Paul says, "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus!" Galatians 3:28.
Three facts to observe:
1) The Spirit descends upon human beings, empowering them to preach the Gospel;
2) There is now no specific or exclusive place or language to worship God;
3) All nations and human beings are equal and have free access to God's One Kingdom, not by biological birth, but by a new birth in the Spirit.
This is why this day is known as Pentecost or the Birth of the Church. By our Baptism in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, we have been reborn as God's daughters and sons. Reciprocate His Love through a spiritual worship and keep His commandments by loving each other AS He loves us!
This day we are invited to remember our personal baptism and to reconsider how faithful we are to our baptismal vows. Blessed and happy are those who repeat a loud voice in their minds and hearts, "All that the Lord has commanded, we will observe,” especially His last commandment, “Love each other as I love you!” Blessed are those who are aware of their belonging to the Kingdom and try their best to build up the church today!
Come Holy spirit, renew the face of our earth, Father. Don't remove your Holy Spirit from within our hearts.
We wish you and yours a Blessed Pentecost Season!
Father Kamal - May 23, 2021