May 31 - The Solemnity of Pentecost: Transformation

 

First Reading Acts of the Apostles 2:1-11
The Holy Spirit descends upon the apostles gathered in Jerusalem.

 

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 104:1,24,29-31,34
God’s Spirit renews the earth.

 

Second Reading 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7,12-13
We are all one in Christ Jesus.

 

Gospel Reading
John 20:19-23

 

 

 

Today we are celebrating the great Solemnity of Pentecost. If, in a certain sense, all the liturgical solemnities of the Church are important, Pentecost is uniquely so. This is because, having reached the 50th day, it marks the fulfilment of the event of the Passover, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus through the gift of the Spirit of the Risen One. The disciples are locked in the upper room out of fear. But Jesus brings them Peace. The violence of the darkness which attempted in vain to quench the light has produced peace. Death has turned into life and peace and thus the disciples’ fear turns in to joy. Here we find the beginnings of the transformation which the death and resurrection of Jesus can produce. Pentecost puts an end to fear by calling men and women to forgiveness. The wholeness and holiness which Jesus’ gift of the spirit has brought into the lives of the disciples are now available, through them, to the forgiven sinner.