In the Upper room they were praying. The 120 disciples were afraid, confused and uncertain about future. They were waiting for the power from on high. We are in our rooms praying. We too are afraid and confused. Like them we are waiting for the power of God.

On the day of Pentecost, with a noise like a strong driving wind and in the form of tongues as of fire, the Holy Spirit descended upon them. Something new happened there. Suddenly the apostles became courageous and they came out of the room. Peter spoke in Aramaic; but each one heard him speaking in his own language. Resurrection of Jesus was proclaimed; and about 3000 persons were baptized. Peoples of various nations, races, cultures and languages became as one church; there was unity in diversity.

The gospel depicts a different scenario. Here Jesus appears in silence and tells, “Peace be with you.” Then he breathes on them. Remember at the beginning of creation, God formed the man out of the dust and blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. Now Jesus breathes on them and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” The breath of God is life; when the breath is taken back there is death. Today is the day of God’s breath and a day of life.

In the Acts of the Apostles, many actions of the Spirit are illustrated vividly. The Spirit told deacon Philip, “Go and join up with that chariot;” Philip went to the chariot and catechized the Ethiopian eunuch. He baptized him and the Spirit snatched Philip away. Note the words ‘snatched him away.’ Peter went to the Roman Cornelius house. As Peter was hesitating to baptize the uncircumcised household, the holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the word. Peter then said, “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people, who have received the holy Spirit?” Paul was prevented by the holy Spirit from preaching the message in the province of Asia. He tried to go on into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.

The Spirit is life. On this day the Holy Spirit came upon the world. Its power shatters wickedness and brings forth holiness. Its fire consumes evil and refines good. It is invisible yet indispensable. It is like the wind; we cannot see it. But we can feel it and see its effects. Today the church needs to be reborn and sanctified. The world ought to be renewed and unified. Humans need to be humanized and value-based. Hearts and minds must be broadened and straightened.

Without the Spirit nothing moves. We need this movement. I invite you to pray that the Spirit should move us forward; open our hearts; open our church; heal our wounds; pour his dew; wash the stains of guilt: bend the stubborn heart and will; melt the frozen, warm the chill; guide the steps that go astray; move the world toward health and goodness; broaden the hearts of all to accept and accommodate and fill the earth with God’s blessings, joy and peace!

We thank the Lord for the gifts of the Holy Spirit. On June 8^th we open our church to celebrate weekday Mass. We hope to celebrate weekend Mass eventually in our churches. May God bless us all on this day of Pentecost! May God bless our country and the world!