On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again, Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
John 20:19-23

Yesterday, we marked the seventh Sunday after Easter, Pentecost. Pentecost comes from the Greek word pentekoste, meaning fiftieth. The seventh Sunday is also 50 days after Easter, 50 days after the resurrection of Jesus.

Pentecost was the day that the Holy Spirit of God filled Jesus’ followers. God sent the Holy Spirit as a helper to advocate for us when Jesus returned to his Father. The Holy Spirit is a constant reminder of Jesus, who he is and what he taught us in his time on Earth. The Spirit is also our helper in times of challenge and struggle.

This is the day that the Church of God was born. The account of the events of Pentecost recorded in Acts 2 tells how many people who were in Jerusalem on this day came to investigate the commotion caused by followers who were now speaking in tongues. They heard Peter’s message, repented and were baptised. “...and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” (Acts 2:41). The number of Christians continues to increase daily.

The Holy Spirit unites us with God. We have been given a chance to live differently and to receive the abundance God has in store for us. Our mission is to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel to the world - to share that abundance with others. The Holy Spirit will strengthen our faith and encourage us to persevere when facing challenges or when we are confronted with those unwilling to hear and believe in the Good News.

What images do you have of Pentecost? What does Pentecost mean to you today?
 

Reflections by Gillian Hugo

Come, Holy Spirit, Creator blest, 
and in our souls take up Thy rest;
come with Thy grace and heavenly aid
to fill the hearts which Thou hast made.
Amen.
(Excerpt from Veni Creator Spiritus)
 

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