Solemnity of Pentecost (A)

Dear brothers and sisters,

Happy Pentecost!

For almost a year now, I was not posting any thoughts, reflections

and other means of communications to you, since my hospitalization last year, 2016.  Now, I'm back to share with you some inspiring words that may uplift your faith as you listen to the silent blow of the wind in the wilderness!

Solemnity of Pentecost (A)

June 4, 2017

Readings:

First Reading – Acts of the Apostles 2:1-11

Ps. 104

Second Reading – 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13

Gospel reading according to John 20:19-23

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Three days after, when Jesus resurrected from the dead, that “on the evening of that first day of the week,” this solemn yet mysterious night, “when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews,” because of what had happened to their Teacher and Master whom the Jews crucified and put to death, and that they were thinking they were also wanted and that they might be killed also by the Jews, that’s why they were hiding in that house, “Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, ‘Peace be with you’.” (Jn. 20:19).  What they can do if their Teacher and Master was killed than to hide because they are afraid that they might follow the same fate that Jesus went through.  But Jesus appeared to them and gave them an assurance, of peace.  “Peace be with you.”  What does this “peace” mean by Jesus to his disciples?  This means, as if he is saying to them, that do not worry, do not be afraid, have courage for I have conquered the enemy.  And also as if he is saying to his disciples, I have forgiven you for what you have done, when you escaped and saved your lives and abandoned me on that Holy Thursday night, alone in that Mountain of Calvary.  There is no need to hide from the Jews.  “When he had said this, he showed them his hands, [his feet] and his side” (Jn. 20:20).

Sometimes, when our lives are in danger by either seen or unseen events due to sickness, many problems, or because of our neighbors, friends or enemies, and even our own family members, fears, suspicions and doubts come in.  It is normal to defend ourselves when our lives are encountering threats inside and out.  The tendency to hide from intimidations, pressures, terrorisms, coercions and extortions is our means to protect and preserve ourselves. There is no wrong with that hiding, but let us always remember that we do not need to stay longer in hiding, that we do not live in fear, that we have to face our fears and even fight them to resolve and find solution to our suspicions.  By facing our doubts we become free from fears and live life to the fullest.  “Let go and let live,” as saying goes.  Let go your fears and live in peace.

Those who were hiding in that house, in the cenacle (or upper room), and locked in, for fear of the Jews, when the resurrected Jesus appeared to them alive, they “…rejoiced when they saw the Lord” (Jn. 20:20).  The indescribable feelings, of regain hope and assurance brought back to them.  Liveliness, energy and vigor came in to each one of the disciple when they saw the risen Lord.  For the second time, “Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you.  As the Father has sent me, so I send you’.” (Jn. 20:21).  This time, Jesus is commissioning his disciples to go out from their hiding place and go to proclaim the good news they received from him as his witnesses, especially of his resurrection from the dead, that in the midst of many fears there is hope, and there is life to as many peoples in the whole world.

The same with us, after we are released and untied from our fears, and new hopes and freedom come in, we have to proclaim also what the Lord has done to us.  We have to share the goodness of the Lord in our lives, that we are loosen in the knots that bounded us from fear, anxiety, problems and trouble that we went through so that others may also experience the love of God and the peace that comes from the Lord.  The guarantee that we can do this is when the Holy Spirit given to us by our Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father comes.  Jesus “. . . breathed on them [and to us] and said to them [and to us], ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.  Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained’.” (Jn.20:22-23).    

Jesus was true to his promised.  He and the Father sent the Holy Spirit, after Jesus ascended to heaven, to the disciples who were staying in the upper room in Jerusalem for forty days. “When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, Christ’s disciples 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.  Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit . . .” (Acts 2:1-4).  The Holy Spirit will guide us and teach us what to say and do to others, especially to our loved ones when we proclaim to them the good news about our Lord Jesus Christ and his commands.  We will also receive other spiritual gifts and different forms of service and workings from the same Holy Spirit for some benefits.  As St. Paul said to the Corinthians, “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone.  To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefits” (1 Cor. 4-7).

Therefore, let us continue asking for the same Spirit of the Lord so that we may say continuously: “Lord, send out your Spirit and renew the face of the earth” (Ps. 104).  Amen.

HAPPY PENTECOST SUNDAY!!!