What is Pentecost? It is the Feast celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and Mary, the Mother of Jesus in a house at Jerusalem like tongues of fire.[i] The word “Pentecost” comes from Greek, which means fifty. This holy day of Pentecost is celebrated fifty days after the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. It also has a connection to our Jewish roots in that they too celebrated a Pentecost fifty days after the Passover, when the first fruits of the corn harvest were offered to the Lord[ii], and the law of God given to Moses.[iii]
Why would the Holy Spirit descend on the same time of the Jewish Passover? As we recall, Jesus died close to the time of the Jewish Passover. Jesus fulfilled the Old Law of the Passover when He became the final Lamb whose blood saves us all. At Pentecost, the Jews celebrate the law given to Moses by God. By sending the Holy Spirit, God shown that the Old Law had ceased and the New Law was to begin. God also chose this time because the Jews who were coming together from all countries to Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost, might witness the miracles, and come to hear and accept the New Law announced by the apostles.[iv]) This period between Easter and Pentecost in the past was celebrated by not allowing anyone to fast and singing of Alleluia as much as possible.
Pentecost was also the completion of the Passover. It was the completion of the Church’s cycle, which started with the Holy Spirit overshadowing Mary at the Annunciation. He then descended on the disciples at Jerusalem and gave the Apostles the power to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.[v]Pentecost is the completion of God’s promise. In the Magnificat, Mary says, “He has remembered his promise of mercy.”[vi] The Canticle of Ezekiel says, “I will take you away from among the nations, gather you from all the foreign lands, and brink you back to your own land. I will sprinkle clean water upon you to cleanse you from all your impurities, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you, taking from your bodies your stony hearts and giving you natural hearts. I will put my spirit within you and make you live by my statues, careful to observe my decrees. You shall live in the land I gave your fathers; you shall be my people, and I will be your God.”[vii] Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, we the people of God have the spirit of God within us and await with hope the land (heaven) that God has given our fathers.
Sometimes waiting is the hardest part. How difficult it must have been for the Apostles to sit in the upper room praying and hoping for the sign, which was promised to them. But as we know, good things come to those that wait. Their patience was rewarded with the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Why was Mary at Pentecost? Mary was there to be with the Church, which at that time were only the eleven apostles. How beautiful it is to see Mary present at every major moment in our Church’s history, from the conception of Jesus, to his death, resurrection, and now today we see her with the Apostles at Pentecost. She did not need to be there to be filled with the Holy Spirit because she was already full of God’s grace, and the Holy Spirit had already descended upon her at the Annunciation. Luke, who wrote Acts of the Apostles, shows us that when Jesus gave Mary to John and said, “behold your mother”[viii], she was the mother of the Church and Jesus’ people. She is there to calm them and be there for them. Likewise, Mary is still here for the Church today. She is still at our side leading us to her Son and the blessed Trinity.
Why is it known as the “birthday of the Church”? This day marks the first time the Church was announced to the world. On this day the apostles, being filled with the Holy Spirit, started the mission of the Church. It is the very beginning, the start, and the birth of the Church and it’s mission to proclaim and spread the Gospel to the entire world. It was the first time the Apostles had the courage to start proclaiming the Word themselves. Up to this point, Jesus himself had proclaimed it. It is also the day when over 3,000 people were brought into the Church where before there were only twelve.[ix]There is a dramatic difference between Saint Peter before and after Pentecost. Before Pentecost, he did not have the courage to proclaim Christ to even one person. In fact, Peter denied Jesus three times when asked. Fifty days later, we find Saint Peter boldly proclaiming the Gospel to everyone in the city and 3,000 were brought into the Church. When are the times do we find it hard to evangelize? Who are the people that we find it hard to evangelize too? Calling upon the Holy Spirit can give us the strength we need, even if we have denied Christ previously. A short easy pray to memorize is the Come Holy Spirit Prayer. How can these words help us have courage? “Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.”[x]
Why did the Holy Spirit descend “like tongues of fire”? This symbolism represents the many languages the Holy Spirit imparted on them to be able to speak. As we recall, immediately after the descent of the Holy Spirit, the Apostles go out with Peter as their leader and began speaking. All who could hear them speak heard it in their native language. The description of fire also indicates the power of the Holy Spirit inflaming their hearts with the love of God and their neighbor.
Activity – Symbols of the Holy Spirit
Have the group break into pairs or groups of three. Hand them a Bible and Catechism, and see how many different symbols or ways the Holy Spirit is presented in Scripture and in the Catechism. They may also want to write down a list of symbols that they have been taught.
Below are several symbols:
Water[xi], Anointing[xii], Fire[xiii], Cloud and light[xiv], the Seal[xv], The hand[xvi], the finger[xvii], The dove[xviii], and wind[xix].
A short catechesis can then be given on each of the symbols using the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
[i] Acts 2
[ii] Deut. 16:9
[iii] Modern Catholic Dictionary pg. 414
[iv] The Church’s Year pgs. 298-299
[v] The Catholic Catechism pg. 208
[vi] Luke 1:46-55 (Magnificat)
[vii] Ezekiel 36:24-28 (Liturgy of the Hours; Week IV; Saturday, Morning Prayer)
[viii] Jn 19:27
[ix] The Church’s Year pg. 298
[x] http://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=331
[xi] CCC 694
[xii] CCC 695
[xiii] CCC 696
[xiv] CCC 697
[xv] CCC 698
[xvi] CCC 699
[xvii] CCC 700
[xviii] CCC 701
[xix] http://www.loyolapress.com/symbols-of-the-holy-spirit.htm