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The Feast of Pentecost
May 26, 2023
Author: Hannah DeVivo
Peace be with you!
This Sunday is the Feast of Pentecost and the end of the Easter season!
What is Pentecost?
After the Ascension of Jesus which we talked about last week, the apostles and disciples returned to the Upper Room in Jerusalem, where they had been dwelling. They chose Matthias as the twelfth apostle to replace Judas Iscariot. The disciples prayed fervently for nine days with Mary, Jesus’ mother. After the ninth day, they heard a sound like a “mighty wind.” The Holy Spirit descended upon them all in the form of tongues of fire, and they were all filled with glorious and ecstatic power!
“Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem. At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language” (Acts 2:5-6). All who were outside were able to understand what was being said in their native tongues. Peter and the apostles stood up and began to preach to the people about Jesus. Three thousand people came to believe in Jesus Christ that day and were joyfully received and baptized into His Body, the Church.
Because the Holy Spirit appeared to Mary and the apostles nine days after constant prayer, the Church considers this the first novena! The word novena comes from the Latin word “novem,” meaning nine. A novena is typically nine days of praying to God for a specific intention. Some novenas are prayed to God directly or through Mary’s intercession. Sometimes novenas are offered through the intercession of a particular saint. Regardless of which novena you pray, the practice is a beautiful and powerful way to bolster your prayer life and grow in faith.
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the third Person in the Trinity. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains who the Holy Spirit is and the meaning of His name:
691 The proper name of the Holy Spirit
“Holy Spirit” is the proper name of the One whom we adore and glorify with the Father and the Son. The Church has received this name from the Lord and professes it in the Baptism of her new children.
The term “Spirit” translates the Hebrew word ruah, which, in its primary sense, means breath, air, wind. Jesus indeed uses the sensory image of the wind to suggest to Nicodemus the transcendent newness of him who is personally God’s breath, the divine Spirit. On the other hand, “Spirit” and “Holy” are divine attributes common to the three divine persons. By joining the two terms, Scripture, liturgy, and theological language designate the inexpressible person of the Holy Spirit, without any possible equivocation with other uses of the terms “spirit” and “holy.”
692 Titles of the Holy Spirit
When He proclaims and promises the coming of the Holy Spirit, Jesus calls him the “Paraclete,” literally, “he who is called to one’s side,” ad-vocatus. ”Paraclete” is commonly translated by “consoler,” and Jesus is the first consoler. The Lord also called the Holy Spirit “the Spirit of truth.”
693 Besides the proper name of “Holy Spirit,” which is most frequently used in the Acts of the Apostles and in the Epistles, we also find in St. Paul the titles: the Spirit of the promise,the Spirit of adoption, the Spirit of Christ, the Spirit of the Lord, and the Spirit of God—and, in St. Peter, the Spirit of glory.
Pope Benedict XVI said that “The Holy Spirit … leads us to the heights of God, so that we may already experience on this earth the seed of divine life which exists within us.” The Holy Spirit is here with us. He speaks to and encourages us in our walk of faith. He is the unseen, but undeniably strong, presence Who leads us to truth. He not only inspires and shows us the way to righteousness, but also convicts the world of sin and discourages us from participating in it.
The Church teaches that there are seven gifts and twelve fruits the Holy Spirit forms in us. The gifts, as listed in Isaiah 11:2-3, are:
1. Wisdom
2. Understanding
3. Counsel
4. Fortitude
5. Knowledge
6. Piety
7. Fear of the Lord
The twelve fruits of the Holy Spirit, as listed in Galatians 5:22-23 in the Latin Vulgate are:
1. Charity
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Generosity
8. Gentleness
9. Faithfulness
10. Modesty
11. Self-Control
12. Chastity
What is the significance of this day, and how is it traditionally observed?
The word “Pentecost” comes from the Greek word pentekoste meaning fiftieth. In the Old Testament, the Feast of Firstfruits took place on the first day after the Sabbath during the Passover week. Pentecost was a harvest festival known as “The Feast of Weeks, which happened 50 days after the Jewish feast of Firstfruits. Christians celebrate Pentecost 50 days after Easter. For the Jewish people, Pentecost is the time they remember Moses giving the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, and their freedom from slavery. As Christians, we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit, the fullness of what Jesus did for us in His Passion, Death, and Resurrection, and our freedom from the slavery of sin.
Pentecost is often referred to as “the birthday of the Church.” When Jesus came to earth, He proclaimed the Kingdom of God, the fulfillment of Law and the Prophets. He taught us a new way to worship, in spirit and in truth. Through His gifts of love, peace, and healing, Jesus ministered and showed us the way to His Father in heaven. Before He ascended, Jesus instructed His beloved followers to “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” He did not leave His bride—His Church—alone. He gave us His Holy Spirit to guide us, to strengthen us, and to console us.
Now it was time for the Church to go out and evangelize. Because the Apostles and disciples immediately began proclaiming the Gospel and successfully baptized 3,000 new believers, this day was truly the birth of the Church.
How can you celebrate this feast in your home?
There are so many fun and awesome ways to celebrate Pentecost and get your whole family involved! Growing up, I remember that my family always wore red on Pentecost, symbolizing the tongues of fire that descended upon the apostles. This is great for all ages! If you have younger ones, a very easy craft is to draw and color flames on construction paper. Then you can make little hats and tape the flames to them. Let everyone in the family wear the hats with flames for dinner, or while you read Acts 2, the scripture passage describing what happened on Pentecost. Regardless of what you choose to do, the important thing is that you take some time to recognize and invite the Holy Spirit into your home, heart, and life.
Click here for wonderful Pentecost and Holy Spirit related items!
Before You Go
How do you observe Pentecost?
Do you feel close to the Holy Spirit?
Have you learned anything new in this article?
I would LOVE to hear from you. Send me an email to Catholic-Living@Autom.com
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