24/05/2026
REFLECTION
*Acts 2:1-11/1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13/Jn. 20:19-23*
Today is Pentecost Sunday. Pentecost is the “feast of the Holy Spirit” and the “birthday of the Church”. It is the liturgical commemoration of the descent of the promised Holy Spirit on the Apostles and the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Holy Spirit is very important to our life for these three reasons:
1. Firstly, the gospel shows us that the Spirit is a gift of Christ to the apostles. He says, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” We received the Gift of Holy Spirit when we were baptized, and He sealed us in the sacrament of Confirmation. It is the Holy Spirit who enables us to proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord.
2. Secondly, while we say that the Spirit is an irrevocable gift of Christ to the Church, St Paul, in his First Letter to the Corinthians, spoke of the Holy Spirit as “giver of gifts”. Paul sees a diversity of gifts under one Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit who gives the diversity of gifts that are so needed to function well in the body of Christ. This the Holy Eucharist continues to nourish us with Himself and make us one body in him. The 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 11:2-3)Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, Fear of the Lord.
3. Thirdly, in the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, we profess that the Spirit is “Lord and giver of life”. The third person of the Trinity.
The story of Babel in the book of Genesis reminds us of the story we read today from the Acts of the Apostles, the disciples of Jesus speaking in other languages? Actually, the two stories are related. But Pentecost is not a repeat of Babel, Pentecost is a reversal of Babel for these three reasons:
1. At Babel, human beings decided to build a tower to God by their own effort; at Pentecost, it is now God who decides to build a bridge to humans by sending the Holy Spirit. Babel was a human initiative, a human effort, Pentecost is a divine initiative, a divine activity through the Holy Spirit.
2. Babel was a requiem of misunderstanding, Pentecost is a chorus of mutual understanding. At Babel, the people came together with one language, understanding themselves. After God’s intervention they dispersed no longer understanding each other. At Pentecost, on the other hand, people of different ethnic backgrounds (Persians, Asians, Romans, Egyptians, Libyans, Arabs, etc) came together unable to communicate, but after the miracle of Pentecost, they said, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? How is it that we hear them, each of us in our own language?” (Acts 2:7-8).
3. Lastly, Pentecost differs from Babel in its result. Babel resulted in the disintegration of the human family into different races and nationalities. Pentecost, on the other hand, brings all peoples together and reunifies them under one universal family.
As individuals, we should be aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We should allow him to take control over our lives so that we can be guided and enlightened in every endeavor we do. Moreover, we should also allow him to dwell in us so that our lives may be full of spirit and life.
REFLECTION: As you pray today, spend a good time asking Jesus for a renewal of the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and enkindle in us the fire of Your love. Amen.
Happy Pentecost Sunday, and have a grace-filled week ahead.