Florida Catholic | Sunday Word

Pentecost Sunday

Pentecost

May 11, 2008 :: Acts 2:1-11; Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-31, 34; 1 Cor: 12, 3b-7, 12-13; Jn 20: 19-23

FATHER DAVID SCOTCHIE

Before Pentecost, the disciples were afraid. Hiding out in the upper room, they feared for their lives. They were surely next on the list of the authorities who had crucified their leader.

After Pentecost, everything changed. The disciples went out into the streets telling everyone about the mighty acts of God. They were fearless witnesses to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

What had happened? With a great noise and appearing as tongues as of fire, the Holy Spirit had come upon the disciples. It had filled them and enabled them to proclaim good news (Acts 2:2-4).

Last week with the Ascension of the Lord, Jesus commanded his disciples, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Mt 28:19).

It took the Holy Spirit, though, for the disciples to live out Jesus’ command.

The same Spirit that came upon the disciples has come upon us. Father Gerald O’Collins wrote that Jesus, the crucified Son of God, was raised from the dead and ascended into heaven “that we might live together through the power of the Holy Spirit as the new Easter people of God.”

One sign of the Spirit is forgiveness. Jesus breathed his Spirit on his disciples and said, “Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them” (Jn 20:23). Priests, through the sacrament of penance, can forgive sins.

For Christians, forgiveness is a way of life in the Spirit. This is not easy. In “The Secret Life of Bees” by Sue Monk Kidd, 14-year-old Lily thought, “My heart sat like an ice sculpture in the center of my chest. Nothing could touch it. People in general, would rather die than forgive. It’s that hard. If God said in plain language, ‘I’m giving you a choice, forgive or die,’ a lot of people would go ahead and order their coffin.”

In the Spirit, you are forgiven and can forgive. You can pray for God to bless those who have harmed you and your loved ones.

Asking for their peace, you receive the peace that the world cannot give, the peace that the Spirit does give.

To take to prayer: Whom do you need to forgive? Ask God to bless them.

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