Today, we commemorate that first Pentecost or outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles. Before they received the Holy Spirit, the Apostles were a frightened bunch, cowering together in a room for fear of the Jewish leaders, the Romans, and the Restless Society in which they lived. But, after they received the Holy Spirit, these same people became fearless, and were not afraid to bear witness to Christ in their society.

If the Holy Spirit could turn a frightened group, like the early Apostles, into fearless witnesses of Christ, the Holy Spirit can do the same for you. Courage is a gift of the Holy Spirit, and it was in full display when the early followers of Jesus burst into the streets and countryside of Jerusalem preaching the good news of the gospel, and performing good deeds for anyone in need.

You can also spread the gospel wherever you are, especially by your example. There is no more powerful witness to the truth of the gospel than personal example. Jesus strongly urged his followers to follow his example, and he condemned those who were content to give only lip-service. He sent us the Holy Spirit, not only to strengthen us, but to help us understand how to apply his message in the changing times in which we live. Listen to the Holy Spirit for the Holy Spirit is your guide and your comforter in times of decision-making, and in times of trial. The scriptures are the word of God, and the Holy Spirit is your guide in understanding God’s word.  A good practice to adopt before reading the scriptures is to pray first to the Holy Spirit for guidance and understanding. Understanding is a gift of the Holy Spirit.

Think of how you can make a difference in your surroundings with the help of the Holy Spirit. You don’t have to do anything spectacular. There is so much you can do like the man who makes it his ministry to drive neighbors to the hospital, others who help in food pantries and soup kitchens, others again who give up their free time to coach soccer and baseball for youngsters, and those who tutor youngsters, who visit the prisons, the hospitals, the sick and the lonely. Or simply, being a good neighbor. Try, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to give as much thought to meeting the needs of your neighbor as you do to meeting your own needs.

The message of Pentecost also offers an inspiring remedy to the problems of divisiveness in our times. It is a message of Unity and Peace. This is something everyone wants, but unity and peace are sadly lacking in our churches and in our society today. Unity and Peace will elude us if we seek them in all the wrong places. Thus, we must return to the spiritual principle of our unity as children of God. Scripture states: “there are different works but the same God who accomplishes all of them in every one” (1 Corinthians 12:6). God is bigger than all of us. He created us and sent the Holy Spirit to work through us to achieve His will. If we stick with God’s only begotten Son and follow His example, we will all find a purposeful place in the scheme of things.

The source of our unity is the Holy Spirit who unites us as one. Our spiritual unity with God enables us to grow harmoniously despite differences in personality, roles and functions. All human progress can give glory to God and benefit humankind when it is cultivated responsibly by people who are conscious of their interdependence as children of God and on their need to love one another.

May this gift of the Holy Spirit, given to us at the first Pentecost, inspire you and accompany you all the days of your life.

—Fr. Hugh Duffy