Father Michael's Thoughts This Week

WEEKLY THOUGHTS PENTECOST SUNDAY - JUNE 8, 2025

Dear Friends,

Welcome to the celebration of Pentecost Sunday of this year 2025. It celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles; Jesus had asked them to remain in Jerusalem and wait for the Holy Spirit promised by Jesus as a gift of his abiding presence with the Apostles in the work and mission of Evangelization. Jesus tasked the Apostles to preach the good news of salvation from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. Evangelization is at the heart of the Church.

The First Reading Acts 2: 1-11 speaks of the events at Pentecost; the noise like strong wind from the sky, tongues of fire resting on the Apostles and speaking in tongues and all understood in their own languages.

The Second Reading 1 Cor 12: By the Holy Spirit, the faithful can profess Jesus as Lord. The Holy Spirit is the source or origin of spiritual gifts. Jesus is the head of the Church – Body of Christ to which all believers are members. 

The Gospel John 20: 19-23 features Jesus appearing to his disciples after the resurrection. He greeted them with “Peace be with you and Receive the Holy Spirit.” By so doing, Jesus fulfilled his promise of the Holy Spirit to help them in the task and mission of bringing and announcing salvation to humanity from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. The role of the Holy Spirit was to remind the disciples what Jesus had taught them. The same Spirit taught them and gave them courage to bear witness to Jesus even to the point of giving up their lives for Jesus. The Apostles became powerful witnesses to Jesus- no longer fearful.

Jesus tasked his disciples with the ministry of reconciliation and forgiveness of sins. Reconciliation and forgiveness are at the core of the mission of the Church.

As members of the Body of Christ, we are equally tasked to extend God’s love and mercy which we experience in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Reconciliation and forgiveness are at the center and identity of discipleship. Let us endeavor to be filled with the Spirit of love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Gal 5: 23-24)

Pentecost concludes the Easter Season. Trinity Sunday is next Sunday. God bless.