Pentecost

\”When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance….\” (Acts 2:1-4) 

Pentecost has become, for Christians, the day we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit and the beginning of the Church. The \”tongues of fire\” symbolize the action of the Holy Spirit, enlightening the minds of the disciples and helping them to understand what Jesus had taught them–and enabling them to go out and proclaim that teaching to the world. Dominicans even speak of a \”Dominican Pentecost\” (when St. Dominic sent his first followers out to begin their preaching mission throughout Europe).Today, the Holy Spirit is sending you on a mission as well! It may involve leaving what is familiar to go to the place God is leading you by the Spirit; it may involve staying in the same place but allowing the Spirit to transform your environment and your own point of view. As St. Paul tells us, \”There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each is individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.\” (1 Cor. 12:4-7) Pray to the Holy Spirit and ask for the gifts He longs to give you–and thank Him for the gifts He has already bestowed. Then go out on mission and spread the Spirit to the world!