Scripture Reflection, May 24, 2026, Pentecost Sunday

Acts of the Apostles 2:1-11 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13 John 20:19-23

Today the church celebrates our birthday, the feast of Pentecost, the day the church was born! Our scriptures record the gift of the Holy Spirit to the disciples. The reading from Acts begins with a picture of the disciples “all in one place together. “ The gospel from John records the disciples gathered behind locked doors out of fear. They seek support and comfort from one another but they are inwardly focused. Then something astounding happens! Something which turns them dramatically outward!

In today's first reading "a noise like a strong driving wind“ fills the house and what appears to be tongues of fire rests on each of the gathered disciples. In the gospel Jesus “came and stood in their midst, " breathes on them and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit.“ And as with the newborn babe whose lungs first fill with air, the disciples are filled with the Spirit, a new kind of life!

In today's first reading, we see them courageously and miraculously preaching in different tongues to the Jews from every nation who have come to Jerusalem! In the gospel, Jesus says "As the Father has sent me, so I send you!” Sent! Go! Do! The second reading reminds us that the Spirit is given to each of us not for ourselves alone but for others. Our specific gift is our form of service.

Now and then I hear sincerely good people, aggrieved at the world situation at home and abroad, share with a sense of powerlessness, “But what can I do besides pray?” They mourn the loss of life, military and civilian, in war and violence around the world. They are angry when they learn that needed food and medical care at home and abroad have been ripped out of our national budget. But they feel overwhelmed by the size of the problems and under-equipped to solve them.

Saint Ignatius Loyola is credited with saying, "Pray as if everything depends on God; work as if everything depends on you. “ Prayer comes first. We can do nothing without God's help. But God has expectations of us. The Spirit of God has been given to us for a purpose.

Look at your own God-given gifts and see how you might best use them locally. Join with others when a problem requires larger impact. Be very much aware of the votes your legislators cast. Are they informed by Catholic social justice principles? If not, put in office those legislators who will!

The mission has a church. And we are it! Happy Birthday!

by: Pat Schnee, OPA