Pentecost Solemnity
Also Read: Mass Readings for 19 May 2024 Mass Reading Reflection for 19 May 2024
Gospel: John 20: 19-23
Holy Spirit transforms. Today, along with the Church, we share the joy of the Pentecost. May the Holy Spirit shower upon us!
On Pentecost, we see a dramatic transformation happening in the Apostles’ lives. Until that moment they were the fearful dozen. From that moment they were the valiant twelve. They were ordinary twelve, they transformed into the wisest twelve bold enough to address even the most literate and powerful people of all time.
Peter who could not stand a challenging gatekeeper, stood boldly before governors and high priests proclaiming Jesus. Yes, above all, the Holy Spirit transforms.
Dare to be transformed? Pray for the Holy Spirit. Upon the arrival of the Holy Spirit, everything gets transformed from inside. Look at what happened to the disciples, Jerusalem was the same, and the political and religious atmospheres were the same, but the disciples were different. They were new. They were not afraid. And they transformed everything.
In the first place they were not afraid to preach Jesus, the Messiah resurrected. It did not concern them if the listeners believed or not. They were not afraid of being rejected or mocked. They were not afraid of being jailed or persecuted. They did not fear being executed in the name of Jesus. All because they were filled with the Holy Spirit.
They did not fear foreign languages and distances. They travelled everywhere they could go. St. Thomas travelled all the way to India, preached Jesus there, and got martyred in India.
They did not fear the seas or wild animals. They did not fear torture or martyrdom. All but one died a martyr. Who could imagine they were the same disciples who went hiding when Jesus was arrested? They were not even afraid of or ashamed of their own failures.
The Holy Spirit can transform you today; if you dare to be transformed, and pray earnestly, ‘Come Holy Spirit.’ Despite your weaknesses and failures, He is going to strengthen you.
Today you will return to the same house, tomorrow you will return to the same job, but you shall be different if you dare to accept the Holy Spirit.
Dare to pray, ‘Come Holy Spirit,’ and dare to be transformed. Dare to be a little more polite and caring. Dare to be a little more merciful and forgiving. Dare to be responsible and sincere in your work. Dare to be a little nicer and more loving every passing day. Be ready to be transformed from today and invite the Holy Spirit with a burning desire.
Just like the apostles, pray with Our Lady by your side, ‘Come Holy Spirit.’
Amen.
