PENTECOST SUNDAY
Today is the 50th day after the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus and the 10th day after His Ascension unto the right hand of the Father in Heaven.
Jesus promised His disciples that He will not leave them orphans but will send His Holy Spirit – the Paraclete (Comforter/ Advocate) to be with them until He comes again at the end of time to judge the Living and the dead.
At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came down on Mary and the disciples like tongues of fire and they were filled with joy, zeal and love! Thus, our Church was born! Happy birthday to us!
In our Bible readings for Mass today we hear three things that The Holy Spirit gave to Jesus’ disciples and to us, His Church:

1) COURAGE – in the 1st Reading from the Acts of Apostles we read that the fearful disciples – once they received the tongues of fire -became zealous and undaunted apostles – preaching the Good News about Jesus.

2) GENEROSITY – in the 2nd Reading we read that the Holy Spirit gave different gifts for the ministry. These gifts were meant to be shared – the apostles shared their gifts abundantly and generously to build the Body of Christ.

3) RECONCILIATION and FORGIVENESS OF SINS. In the Gospel we read that Jesus breathed unto the disciples the Holy Spirit who would forgive sins and reconcile /bring us closer to God.
LET US BE OPEN TO THE HOLY SPIRIT TODAY. Let us rejoice to receive the same gifts of courage, generosity and reconciliation so that we may become true and authentic disciples and apostles of the Lord Jesus – His living witnesses until He comes again in His glory!
Let us celebrate together our birthday!