Deacon’s Corner
As I finish this on the Monday in the Octave of Easter, we hear this morning of the passing of our Holy Father Pope Francis.
Let us Pray: Eternal rest grant unto Pope Francis, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.
Happy Easter! Jesus is Risen! Alleluia! Alleluia!
I think it is rather beautiful that Holy Mother Church gives us 40 days of the Lenten season to prepare our hearts for Easter and the “Resurrection of Our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ!”
Easter is such a joyous and glorious event; Holy Mother Church gives us seven weeks to celebrate the Easter Season. That leads us right into the “Ascension of the Lord” and then the climax of Pentecost Sunday!
The 50 days from Easter Sunday to Pentecost are celebrated as one great feast. Just as the Triduum consists of one liturgy that spans three days, so too the Easter Season is one Great Sunday—one feast that spans 50 days.
The General Norms for the Liturgical Year states: “The 50 days from Easter Sunday to Pentecost are sometimes called 'Great Sunday’.” The Sundays of the Easter Season are included in the Easter event and story. In other words, Easter is not over on Easter Monday. It takes 50 days to celebrate Easter.
Let us enjoy each day of the Easter Season with great anticipation of the Gift of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost!
Pentecost always occurs 50 days after the resurrection of Jesus and ten days after His ascension into heaven. Because Easter is a moveable feast without a fixed date, and Pentecost depends on the timing of Easter, Pentecost can fall anywhere between May 10th and June 13th.
The timing of these feasts is also where Catholics get the concept of the novena — nine days of prayer — because in Acts 1, Mary and the Apostles prayed together “continuously” for nine days after the Ascension leading up to Pentecost. Traditionally, the Church prays the novena to the Holy Spirit in the days before Pentecost.
The name of the day itself is derived from the Greek word “pentecoste,” meaning 50th.
What happens at Pentecost?
In the Christian tradition, Pentecost is the celebration of the person of the Holy Spirit coming upon the Apostles, Mary, and the first followers of Jesus, who were gathered together in the Upper Room.
A “strong, driving wind” filled the room where they were gathered, and tongues of fire came to rest on their heads, allowing them to speak in different languages so they understood each other.
It was such a strange phenomenon that some people thought the Christians were just drunk — but Peter pointed out that it was only morning, and said the phenomenon was caused by the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit also gave the Apostles the other gifts and fruits necessary to fulfill the great commission — to go out and preach the Gospel to all nations. It fulfills the New Testament promise from Christ that the Apostles would be “clothed with power” before they would be sent out to spread the Gospel.
Where is that in the bible?
The main event of Pentecost (the strong driving wind and tongues of fire) takes place in Acts 2:13, though the events immediately following (Peter’s homily, the Baptism of Thousands) continue through verse 41.
It was right after Pentecost that Peter, inspired by the Holy Spirit, preached his first homily to Jews and other non-believers, in which he opened the scriptures of the Old Testament, showing how the prophet Joel prophesied events and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
He also told the people that the Jesus they crucified is the Lord and was raised from the dead, which “Cut them to the Heart.” When asked what they should do, Peter exhorted them to repent of their sins and be baptized. According to the account in Acts, about 3,000 people were baptized following Peter’s sermon.
For this reason, Pentecost is considered the Birthday of the Church! Peter, the first Pope, preaches for the first time and converts thousands of new believers. The Apostles and believers, for the first time, were united by a common language, and a common zeal and purpose to go and preach the Gospel.
Why is Pentecost Important?
Pentecost holds great significance for Catholics for several reasons:
The Gift of the Holy Spirit: Pentecost is a reminder of the promise Jesus made to send the Holy Spirit to guide and empower His disciples. The Holy Spirit strengthens believers in their faith and helps them to live as followers of Christ.
Unity in Diversity: The story of Pentecost emphasizes the unity of believers from different backgrounds and languages. It reminds Catholics of the universal nature of the Church and the call to embrace diversity while working together for the common good.
Missionary Zeal: After receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the Apostles boldly proclaimed the message of Jesus Christ, leading to the spread of Christianity throughout the world. Pentecost challenges Catholics to share their faith with others and participate in the Church's mission of evangelization.
How Can Catholics Prepare for Pentecost?
Preparing for Pentecost can deepen one's spiritual experience of the feast day. Here are some simple ways Catholics can prepare:
Prayer: Set aside time for prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to fill your heart and guide you in your faith journey.
Reflection: Reflect on the role of the Holy Spirit in your life and consider areas where you may need His guidance and strength.
Acts of Charity: Practice acts of kindness and charity, following the example of Jesus Christ and demonstrating love to others.
Reconciliation: Receive the sacrament of reconciliation (confession) to cleanse your heart and renew your commitment to following Christ.
How to Celebrate Pentecost!
On Pentecost Sunday, Catholics can celebrate in various ways:
Attend Mass: Participate in the celebration of the Eucharist, where the readings and prayers focus on the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Wear Red: Red is the liturgical color of Pentecost, symbolizing the flames of the Holy Spirit. Consider wearing something red to Mass or throughout the day.
Pray the Veni Creator Spiritus: This ancient hymn, which means "Come, Holy Spirit," is a beautiful prayer to invoke the Holy Spirit's presence and guidance.
Gather with Family and Friends: Share a meal or spend time with loved ones, reflecting on the significance of Pentecost and the blessings of the Holy Spirit in your lives.
Serve Others: Look for opportunities to serve your community or those in need, embodying the spirit of love and compassion inspired by Pentecost.
Pentecost is a joyous celebration of the Holy Spirit's presence and power in the life of the Church and individual believers. As Catholics, we can prepare for and celebrate Pentecost by deepening our relationship with the Holy Spirit, embracing our call to mission and unity, and sharing the love of Christ with others.
May the celebration of Pentecost fill our hearts with renewed Faith, Hope, and Love, empowering us to be true witnesses of the Gospel in the world. Amen.
May the Peace and Love of Christ be in your hearts now and forever!
See you at the next Mass!
Dcn. Matt