Pentecost Sunday [B]

John 20:19-23

May 23, 2021

Pentecost is the feast of the Holy Spirit. We are celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Church, and this event commences the age of the Holy Spirit. With the Holy Spirit’s help, the disciples slowly grew and gradually expanded into the biggest community in the world. However, among the three divine persons, the Holy Spirit is often left behind and sometimes misunderstood. Surely, this reflection does not and cannot cover the entire subject of pneumatology, but it offers us a little piece of information that hopefully will lead us to gratitude.

Firstly, Faith in Jesus Christ is fundamentally a gift of the Holy Spirit. St. Paul reminds us that without the help of the Holy Spirit, we will not believe in Jesus as our Lord and God [see 1 Cor 12:]. To believe in a creator and almighty God may not be difficult because our mind can discern His existence. However, believing in God, who took human nature in the womb of a humble woman and eventually suffering death on the cross, is beyond ordinary human reasoning. This Jesus did not stop on the cross, but He rose from the dead and decided to be present sacramentally and really in the Eucharist. The God of the universe has become a small white host! Without this supernatural gift of the Holy Spirit, it is naturally impossible to have this extraordinary faith. Yet, for those who have the gift of faith, believing in Jesus seems as natural as breathing. 

Secondly, the Holy Spirit animates and strengthens the Church here on earth. Often, we mistakenly thought that the Holy Spirit only functioned when someone begins speaking in tongue. Yet, the Holy Spirit’s roles are more much massive and fundamental than that. The Holy Spirit strengthens us in the time of trials. That’s why we ask for the gift of fortitude. The Holy Spirit enlightens us when we have a hard time understanding our faith and the meaning of life. That’s why we ask for the gift of understanding. These are just two of seven gifts of the Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit inspired the writers of the Sacred Scriptures to produce the Word of God. And, only the Holy Spirit can make the sacraments the means of God’s grace.

Thirdly, the Holy Spirit is the source of our holiness. The Holy Spirit does not only make the beginning of our faith possible; He does not only sustain and nourish our growth in hope, but He also gives spiritual fruits. For us who are persevering and relying on the Holy Spirit, we enjoy the fruit of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control [see Gal 5:22]. The eternal bliss in heaven is a gift of the Holy Spirit. We recall that the only sin that will not be forgiven is the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit [see Mat 12:30]. The Church has taught us that this sin is the final impenitence [CCC 1864]. If we stubbornly reject the works of the Holy Spirit within us, we throw insult to the Holy Spirit, and if until our dying breath, we close our hearts to Him, then salvation is lost.

The Holy Spirit is at the beginning of our journey of faith, He is present along the way, and He grants the final gift of salvation. Praise be to the Holy Spirit!

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP