“When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were… They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim”
A few weeks ago, we celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation with many young people who received full initiation into our Church. Two more candidates will celebrate their Confirmation at the Vespers Service this weekend. During the sacramental celebration, the priest anoints the confirmands with chrism oil and lays hands upon them to “seal” them with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit—uniting them more firmly to Christ and empowering them to be public witnesses of their faith in everyday life.
In our First Reading, we hear how, at Pentecost, God—through the Holy Spirit—powerfully descended upon the Apostles, filling them with courage and a desire to fulfill the mission of publicly proclaiming Christ and the Gospel. It is a profound reminder of the spiritual significance of Confirmation and how, when we are confirmed, we each experience a personal and meaningful Pentecost.
In the Second Reading, we hear that God produces in each of us different spiritual gifts of service in the Spirit and that “to each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.” Pentecost reminds us that God has given each of us our marching orders: first, to discover the unique gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit, and then to use those gifts to bring the Body of Christ into the world through our actions, selfless service, and proclamation of the Gospel.
Just as the Apostles experienced a powerful wind at Pentecost, we, too, encounter powerful forces that sweep into our lives in many forms. These moments can offer an opportunity to grow in our relationship with God and to renew our faith in the workings of the Holy Spirit. They can also inspire us to proclaim our faith more publicly—through prayer, gratitude for God’s blessings, and fidelity to the teachings of the Church.
Today, as we celebrate Pentecost, we are reminded that Christ is always with us through the Holy Spirit. He is beside us, within us, and guiding us—leading us forward in our lifelong journey of faith. May today inspire us to renew our desire to live out our faith by recognizing the ongoing opportunities we have to use our gifts to carry the Body of Christ into the world.