Pentecost (C) 9th June 2019

The reflections for Sundays and Solemnities is an activity of Society of St Paul, India

A Reflection by:
FR (DR) DOMINIC D'SILVA, SSP,
SOCIETY OF ST PAUL, MUMBAI, INDIA.
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Jesus breathed on the disciples, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” And each one of them received the Holy Spirit and their lives were changed, once and for all.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Risen Lord,

Today, we celebrate Pentecost Sunday, when the Holy Spirit filled the disciples with his gifts to proclaim the mighty works of God. The outpouring of the Spirit upon the disciples was to enable them to live Jesus Christ and to build a community of believers.

We are the members of that believing community, the Church that was born on the Pentecost day. And so it’s the birthday of each one of us because we are the members of the body of Christ.

Like the Apostles and disciples, we have also received the gifts of the Holy Spirit. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord.

We have received these gifts to experience a change of heart through on-going conversion, to be confirmed in faith, to build Christian community and to serve God for the common benefit of every human person.

What a wonderful thing it is to be confirmed in faith. When the Bishop makes the Sign of the Cross on your forehead with Holy Oil, he says,” Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.” You can ask for virtually anything that will enhance your faith journey, wisdom, kindness, compassion, courage, and it will be granted to you.

Just like that, the Holy Spirit has the power to transform.When we ask for it, we are filled with Grace, which is freely given and does not have to be earned. And Grace can change hearts, minds and lives.

My friends, as Christians we live in a world which is constantly against God and His love and Kingdom. We are increasingly faced with the uncertainties of life, untold fear, and hopeless situations. Yet, we are victorious in all these because Christ has given us the Spirit of wisdom and truth.



Speaking on Christian vocation, Pope Francis tells Christians that the Holy Spirit makes light the burdens of life, with His support and closeness.

Hence, “sadness is not a Christian attitude,” he said. Our Christian vocation becomes possible, specially in overcoming difficulties, with the support and closeness of the Holy Spirit.

Renewal of hearts

The grace of the Holy Spirit brings about the on-going renewal within the Church and in the life of every Christian. And therefore, Christians invoke the Spirit to guide them before every celebration of sacrament, worship, mission, study and work. As we often sing,

Come, Holy Spirit, Creator, come,
From thy bright heav'nly throne,
Come take possession of our souls,
And make them all thy own.

O guide our minds with thy blessed light,
With love our hearts inflame;
And with thy strength, which never decays
Confirm our mortal frame.

It is the Spirit who enlightens and shows us the way to live. As St Paul says to Romans 8: 5-7, “To live the life of nature is to think the thoughts of nature; to live the life of the spirit is to think of the thoughts of the Spirit; and natural wisdom brings only death, whereas the wisdom of the spirit brings life and peace.”

Let us open ourselves to the Holy Spirit so that He takes charge of our life, specially those areas of darkness. He will bring light and comfort, and help us live in grace.

May the Holy Spirit fill the hearts of you and your families with His gifts.

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