On the day of Pentecost the church was born. That group of frightened
and confused disciples became alive. They became a self-confident and
courageous group of witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection. Even their friends
must have wondered, “What happened to these guys!”
At Pentecost, the Apostles became a new creation. What is even more
startling, they were not alone in this. From then on, anyone who listened to
their testimony about Jesus and believed would also be made “new” or come
alive. Somehow, the Apostles’ words had new power, and their message had
the ability to bring people to a new and deeper commitment to God.
On Pentecost the Apostles’ heard a wind and saw tongues of fire.
They saw, in the way of symbols, something of what the Holy Spirit was
doing. The Holy Spirit gave them a burning passion for life with God. The
Holy Spirit made things happen just like the wind moves the trees and drifts
the snow. This new gift of God the Holy Spirit, brought courage where there
was only anxious fear and joy where there was only crippling worry.
In fact, over the centuries, the church has “gathered” those works of the
Holy Spirit into a list of seven gifts — wisdom, understanding, counsel,
fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. The Holy Spirit also gives
people special gifts called charisms. These are things like public praying,
administration, teaching, and so forth. These gifts and charisms are what the
community needs to do the work of God.
Today, when we celebrate the feast of Pentecost, we are not simply
remembering the gifts and charisms which the Apostles received. We are
proclaiming our faith that God’s Spirit is even now, today, giving gifts to
make it possible for the church to thrive and grow. Each of us who has been
baptized will receive a skill or talent from God which will help the church.
Ask the Holy Spirit on this Pentecost day to help you recognize your gifts.
Ask the Holy Spirit for the courage, imagination, and determination to use
your gifts well.
