Bishop John Noonan | Diocese of Orland website

May 30, 2024

With the celebration of Pentecost Sunday, we come to the end of the Easter season. Originally a Jewish pilgrimage festival, Pentecost (the Feast of Weeks or Shavuot) occurs seven weeks after the cutting of the first sheaf of grain at Passover. Its Greek name, Pentecost, signifies fifty days between the two festivals. For Christians, Pentecost Sunday is considered the ‘birthday’ of the Church.

During the Easter season, early disciples encountered Jesus and began to understand Scripture through His light. Jesus ascended into heaven and His followers were told they would be strengthened by the gift of the Holy Spirit, marking a new phase in salvation history.

Pope Francis reminds us that the Holy Spirit did not only appear for these early Christians but continues to inspire throughout salvation history and creation. Pope Francis says, “That is the role of the Spirit: at the beginning and at all times, He makes created realities pass from disorder to order, from dispersion to cohesion, from confusion to harmony.” The Holy Spirit directs time's course and renews Earth's face. If we are willing to receive Him, unity is born. Scripture emphasizes that “all were filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:4). According to our Holy Father, this shared experience of God’s love marked how the Church began.

The Holy Spirit creates harmony within our collective heart. Only He restores harmony in our hearts by creating “intimacy with God” (SAINT BASIL, De Spiritu Sancto XIX, 49). The Holy Spirit transcends and transforms our hearts so that we might know God’s mercy and everlasting forgiveness—and understand how we are called to offer His generous mercy to one another through God's gifts.

The Holy Spirit offers beauty and perfection through Him as each one of us is sacred and essential to Christ's body. Our blindness is removed as we see different gifts harmonizing so that we might live as one body in Christ. We recognize Jesus in each person as taught by Scripture through the Holy Spirit.

Our Holy Father calls us to honestly examine who we are as Catholics: “Am I docile to the harmony of the Spirit? Or do I pursue my projects without letting myself be shaped by Him? Is my way of living faith docile or obstinate? Am I stubbornly attached to texts or doctrines that are cold expressions of life? Am I quick to judge? Do I point fingers and slam doors in others' faces? Or do I welcome His harmonious power—the ‘grace of wholeness’—and forgiveness that brings peace? And in turn, do I forgive?”

Forgiveness makes room for the Spirit's arrival. "Do I foster reconciliation and build communion?" asks Pope Francis.

Being Catholic means being Communion; God did not call just one person but many. He asked us not to live alone but in union with each other. He remains with us always—in all ways and seasons—throughout our lives. By suffering, dying on a cross, and rising from death for us all—to know His intimate love—He calls upon us now: love one another as He loves us.

The Holy Spirit strengthens our bond with heaven and uplifts our gift so God's reign on Earth will ever be known through everyone.