Jesus said: "Receive the Holy Spirit."

John 20:19-23

Jesus said: "Receive the Holy Spirit."

In the first reading, the book of Acts tells the story of Pentecost. In the gospel of John, there is no Pentecost story, but there is reference to the Holy Spirit given by the Risen Christ, when He "breathed" the Spirit on the disciples and said: "Receive the Holy Spirit". Common to both the Pentecost story in Acts, and the gospel passage in John, is the image of life-giving air, in the form of wind or breath. Both these images, especially "Breath of God", is ascribed to the person of the Holy Spirit. Integrating both the image of wind and breath, from the gospel of John and the passage in Acts of the Apostles, gives us a sense of "life in motion" - one with a powerful presence in the form of a "strong, driving wind", and the other with a gentle presence in the form of the breath of the Risen Jesus". 

The presence of God is not only felt in the reading of the Scriptures, but in the other prayers of the Sunday Eucharist. The Eucharistic celebration for the Solemnity of Pentecost also contains the Sequence on the Holy Spirit. It is a prayer recited, chanted, or sang in prose or poetic text - depending on local cultural traditions. This Sequence tells us who the Holy Spirit is for us through the titles given to Him: "Father of the poor", "Giver of God's gifts", "Light of men's hearts", and "Solace in the midst of woe". Not only does the Sequence tell us who the Spirit is but also tells us what He can do for us who place our faith and trust in Him. He can "heal wounds", "renew strength", "wash the stains of guilt", "bend the stubborn heart and will", and "guide steps that go astray".

The Solemnity of Pentecost every year reminds us of the birth of the Church. The Holy Spirit dwells in the Church as a whole, and individually through His members - all given different gifts and charisms to make the gospel known throughout the world. This gospel is made effective by real human or supernatural experiences of healing, strength, forgiveness of sins, guidance and direction. Beginning from the apostles, until all baptized of our present generation, the Holy Spirit continues the mission of Jesus. The ordained ministers, religious of various orders or congregations, and the lay faithful make Jesus come alive today in the Word and in the Sacraments. It is by faith, hope and love that we know that the Holy Spirit will continue to make effective the saving ministry of Christ until the end of time.