The Comforter has Come

 Acts 2:1-11, 1 Cor. 12:3-7.12-13, Jn 20:19-23. As we celebrate Pentecost Sunday, the coming of the Holy Spirit, the birthday of the Church and end of the Easter Season, the Church invites us to submit to the power of the Holy Spirit, so that we may be led to the complete truth and love, in all its height and depth. Today’s first reading relates the coming of the demonstrable presence of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and Mary. A parallel event happens in today’s Gospel that presents us with another account of the coming of the Holy Spirit on the disciples of Jesus. Just as in the Pentecost story, the disciples of Jesus were gathered together behind locked doors. They sense an emptiness due to the absence of their Master and Teacher, who was crucified three days before.

In today’s second reading, Paul points out another manifestation of the Spirit by using an image drawn from nature when he says that the Spirit bears fruit. We may not be able to see the Holy Spirit, but we can see the effect of the Spirit in our life, just as we cannot see the wind but can see the effect of the wind on people and objects of various kinds. Wherever we find love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness and self-control, the Spirit is there at work. The Holy Spirit is essentially the very life of God, and that life is a life of love. It is that Divine life that was poured out at Pentecost, initially on the first disciples but through them on all who were open to receive this powerful and wonderful gift. The Spirit is constantly at work in our lives, making us more like Jesus. Only the Spirit can lead us to the complete truth. If someone is genuinely seeking for truth and willing to engage in good works with others, there the Spirit is at work. Fullness of truth and love is always beyond us; but the Spirit is given to lead us towards the complete truth and love, in all its height and depth.

May the Lord grant us the gifts and the fruits of the Holy Spirit and rekindle the passion for living with God and for God in us! Amen!! Happy Pentecost Sunday!!!