Beloved People,

The Feast of Pentecost was a pilgrimage feast when pious Jews came from their homes to the Temple in Jerusalem. The Feast was celebrated seven weeks or fifty days after the Passover. This important feast in the Jewish calendar becomes for the followers of Jesus the first memorable public event in their history. It was memorable because it was the occasion when Jesus' disciples received the Holy Spirit.

The Gospel depicts Jesus gifting the first fruit of the Resurrection to his disciples. He breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit." Three concrete gifts are given to the community of disciples in this scene: Joy, peace and forgiveness. The disciples 'filled with joy,' are greeted twice with the salutation, "Peace be with you!" and finally, they are entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation. Jesus said, "I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!" (Lk 12:49) fire destroys garbage, purifies metal, provides warmth, cooks food and sets engines in motion. Likewise, the fire of the Spirit destroys sin, purifies hearts, provides light, kindles love and energizes human beings for effective ministry. The first disciples of Jesus were aflame with Pentecostal fire.

Pentecost marks the birth of the Church. The first reading tells us that, when the Spirit descended upon the disciples, the band of fearful fishermen was transformed into a community of fearless, faithful disciples. Thereafter, there was no looking back. They would all live and die to proclaim the good news of their Lord and master, Jesus Christ.

Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, wanted his companions to be men aflame with the spirit. At the Jesuit headquarters in Rome, there is a huge life-size statue of Ignatius with his right hand raised, forefinger pointing outwards. Under the statue is written: "Go! Set the world on fire!" However, on the wall behind the statue there is a fire-extinguisher. A witty old Jesuit remarked, "St. Ignatius wanted us to set the world on fire; but we, modern Jesuits, are going around with fire-extinguishers!"

What about us? Does the fire of the Spirit still burn brightly within us or has it been extinguished by waves of pessimism, division, sadness, and mediocrity? Let us pray in the words of the Gospel acclamation: "Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love!"

God bless us all!

Fr. Lawrence

Question of Week for Adults: Am I aware of someone I need to forgive? Am I willing to take one step to make reconciliation more possible?

For Children: Am I sometimes mean to others? Am I willing to treat them better because Jesus asks me to do so?