You are probably wondering why the readings you heard are different from the ones printed on the parish bulletin you were handed as you came in. The readings and certain prayers at this vigil mass are different from those of Pentecost Sunday tomorrow – but do not worry – you do not have to come back tomorrow. This mass fulfills your Pentecost “Sunday Obligation”.
The Vigil Mass on the eve of Pentecost is a time of fervent prayer and anticipation. It's the moment the Church, united in prayer, eagerly awaits the outpouring of the Holy Spirit – fresh anointing. This Spirit, the Comforter and Advocate, will empower the Church to fulfill its mission of sharing the Gospel and bringing the Good News to the world. We are the Church… not the building; not just the Pope; not just the clergies. We are the People of God. We are the Body of Christ. We are the Temples of the Holy Spirit.
We heard in the Gospel reading – the words “There was, of course, no Spirit yet” – meaning - the Holy Spirit is coming - so to speak… liturgically speaking – but in reality - we already received the Holy Spirit at our baptism… and at our Confirmation which completes Baptism - by which in the laying on of hands and the anointing with Chrism Oil, which first happened at Baptism, we are confirmed with the fullness of the Holy Spirit. We are reminded of our participation in the ministry and mission of Jesus, and strengthened to follow Jesus more closely… which is what Pentecost is about.
Again, we already received the Holy Spirit at our own baptism… The same Holy Spirit poured unto the Apostles on Pentecost. It is just that – unfortunately – sadly - because of our sinfulness, we have been blinded, we have lost sight of who we truly are and what we were created to be… and called to be and called to do.
So, as we approach Pentecost Sunday, let us pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to work in our lives, to unite us in faith, to empower us to be witnesses of God's love, and to guide us in our journey of discipleship. May the flames of the Holy Spirit burn brightly in our hearts, illuminating the way for us to follow Christ and bring His message of hope to the world… As the theme of this jubilee year - We are all Pilgrims of Hope.
This is the time to be filled with hope. God wants to renew us. God wants people to hear and know and love the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God wants hearts to be converted, lives to be changed. God wants the Spirit of repentance and the Spirit of Hope to come and take over each of us.
This is what Pentecost is all about – seeing Jesus and ourselves in a whole new way… so we will be formed into a people on fire with love for Him, willing to surrender our lives to God, and eager to bring His good news to this wounded broken sinful world we live in… a world with narrow, shallow understanding of God’s plan… and of His great love for us.
We need to keep in mind that Pentecost was, and still is, a Jewish feast. So, why are we, as a Christian community, celebrating the Jewish feast of Pentecost?
The simple answer is that we are not celebrating the Jewish feast of Pentecost, but rather, we’re celebrating what happened on the first Pentecost following the death and resurrection and Ascension of the Lord.
As you can read in the parish bulletin - tomorrow’s first reading –- tells the story:
When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled,
they were all in one place together.
And suddenly there came from the sky
a noise like a strong driving wind,
and it filled the entire house in which they were.
Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire,
which parted and came to rest on each one of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.
We are encouraged “to enter into the story” just like at Holy Week, like at Easter Sunday.
With the coming of the Spirit, the disciples, are transformed. The Spirit of Jesus has stirred them to life – from being afraid to going forth boldly to proclaim the Good News.
At that time, there were devout Jews and different people from all over the world but when they heard the apostles spoke of the mighty works of God in their own language, the people were astounded and amazed because they were able to understand, in their own language, what the apostles were saying.
Meaning - the curse of the tower of Babel, as we heard today in the first reading – the curse is reversed… there is this undoing of what happened in the Tower of Babel.
The people decided to build themselves a city and a tower with its top reaching the heaven. The story suggests that this great attempt is something full of pride, human self-aggrandisement, arrogant self-reliance, a sense of rebellion against God, of humans worshipping the work of their own hands which is idolatry – therefore God is not pleased.
We heard from the first reading - The whole world spoke the same language, using the same words. So, God confused their language, so that they can no longer understand each other. The great building project came to an abrupt halt and the people are scattered all over the world.
Meaning - if we are alienated from God, if we separate ourselves from God, we will be alienated, we will be separating ourselves from one another.
As Thomas Merton said: We are not at peace with others because we are not at peace with ourselves, and we are not at peace with ourselves because we are not at peace with God.
The Good News of Pentecost is that through the power of the Spirit of God, the scattering or disunity of peoples that occurred at Babel is reversed and the human race is being reunited. There is this theme of new creation also at Pentecost. The feast of Pentecost is the birthday of the Church, for on that day – the Church begins to grow.
We heard in the Gospel today: Jesus stood up and exclaimed, “Let anyone who thirsts come to me and drink.
As Scripture says: "Rivers of living water will flow from within him who believes in me.”
There is in our lives a great thirst. Everyone thirsts for eternal life. Everyone is thirsting for meaning; thirsting for peace; everyone is thirsting to be loved and to be able to love. In God alone, is the only water that can quench our thirst.
When the Church chants, ‘Lord, send out your spirit’ during the Pentecost vigil, and in fact also on Pentecost Sunday, the Church understands that it is the same creative spirit of God … Who descended on the apostles and on the Church - at Pentecost. Through the Church and through the liturgy, the Lord continues to send out his spirit to renew the face of the earth and to draw all of us and all of fallen creation back to himself.
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, the head of the Church, gathers His flock.
The great feast of Pentecost brings the Easter season to a conclusion. This Feast of the Holy Spirit - Along with Christmas and Easter, is most important in the Church Year.
Jesus ascended to heaven – meaning - now it is our turn - but as He promised – He did not leave us as orphans – we are not alone – Jesus gave us His Holy Spirit to guide us and shape us, to transform us into His image.
St. Teresa of Avila (1515–1582) said it so beautifully:
Christ has no body now on earth but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which Jesus looks with compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which Jesus walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which Jesus blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are His body. We are the Body of Christ.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours and mine.
My brothers and sisters in Christ… Christ is in us. His Spirit is in us.
In Christ, we are a new creation… called to renew the face of the earth.
Amen. Alleluia. God bless…
