Pentecost [C]
June 5, 2022
John 14:15-16, 23-26

The Pentecost is the traditional day of the birth of the Church. If the many scholars agree that Jesus’ crucifixion and death falls on April 4, 33 AD, the date of resurrection is April 6 of the same year. From here, we can trace the date of the first Pentecost. Fifty days later is May 25, 33 AD. So we have the date! Yet, the more fundamental question is why do we consider Pentecost as Church’s birthday?

The main reason is the Holy Spirit. During the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit filled the disciples’ hearts and the minds with His divine presence and His gifts. The first gift is preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The gift of speaking in different languages is indeed amazing, yet before this miracle, the Holy Spirit empowered them to share the Good News.

If we try to look back, the disciples were terrified and confused. Jesus, their beloved teacher, and the expected Messiah was suddenly arrested, and swiftly condemned to death. Jesus’ followers were scattered, and the community of disciples was broken. One betrayed Jesus, another denied Him, and the rest were running away like cowards. Even, after they received the news of resurrection, they kept afraid and were even more puzzled. Jesus had to come in person to show the proof of the resurrection as well as to forgive them, to strengthen them, and to teach them the meaning of His passion and resurrection. However, despite the risen Lord’s presence, there remained an innate fear and uncertainty of their future.

When the promised Holy Spirit came, courage and wisdom entered their hearts. The Spirit empowered them to break out from the prison of fear, and to preach that Jesus Christ is Lord. We look at Simon Peter. When his personal safety was threatened, he was quick to deny His beloved master, not only twice, but thrice. Together with other disciples, Peter hid themselves from the Jewish authorities in the upper room. He even had a difficult time to understand the meaning of resurrection. However, after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, cowardly Simon turned to be a new person. Before the people, he fearlessly proclaimed that Jesus is the Savior and God. During the day of Pentecost, he preached and three thousand people who listened to him became believers!

Surely, it is not only Simon Peter, but also other disciples, and thus the Church. From the day of Pentecost, the disciples did not only stay in Jerusalem, but they went to different places in around the world. Peter went to Rome, Andrew became a missionary to Greece, Thomas reached as far as India. Without the Holy Spirit, the disciples had not dared to go and preach; without preaching, there would not be new disciples; without growth, there would not be the Church. This is the reason that the day of Pentecost is the birthday of the Church.

Yet, the Holy Spirit does not stop working at the first Pentecost. He continues giving us growth to us, the Church. Through the baptism we received the Spirit Holy that makes us children of God. During the confirmation, the Holy Spirit transforms us to be the courageous witnesses of Christ. In the Eucharist, the Holy Spirit comes and brings us the Body and Blood of Jesus. If we believe that Jesus is the Lord, it is the Holy Spirit. If we keep believing in Jesus, despite many difficulties, it is the Holy Spirit. If we are able to forgive our enemies, it is the Holy Spirit. If we are able to stay faithful to our vocations, it is the Holy Spirit.

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP