Pentecost Sunday
May 31, 2020 •
...We hear in the Gospel today the Resurrection account as we complete the Easter season with the feast of Pentecost. We are reminded of the act of redemption in Jesus Christ, and the first gift given to the Church after that redemption of course, is peace, the forgiveness of their sins, and the gift of the Spirit to the Apostles for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Why is that? The Holy Spirit is given to the Apostles in this special way as the first Pope and Bishops, as the first clergy of the Church, so they in the name of Christ can go out with the power of that same spirit and forgive the sins of those who want to come to Jesus, who want to be filled with the Holy Spirit....
Today we celebrate Pentecost as the culmination of the Easter season because now, it's the Holy Spirit being poured forth on the whole Church. It's the whole body of Christ now, receiving the gift of the Spirit, and being filled with His life and His gifts.
The Spirit is always given first for the Sacraments, to the clergy, so that through the clergy, through the Sacraments of the Church... the Spirit can be received for everyone. That's what the Lord wants. He wants all of His holy people to dwell in Him, and He to dwell in them.
Acts 2:1-11; Ps 104: 1, 24 29-30, 31, 34; 1Cor 12:3b-7, 12, 13; Jn 20: 19-23
Homily begins at 19:30