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What is the meaning of Pentecost?

Monday, June 2, 2014
Deacon Robert Banet

Charlie, if I asked you what the three major feasts of the Church are, what would you pay?

That’s an easy one, man. Christmas and Easter and….

And, go on. Well, I have to tell you. It’s Pentecost.

I was going to say that.

All three are historical events: the birth of Jesus, His resurrection from the dead and the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Historical?

Yes, they really happened at a certain date in a certain place. And you know what? They have meaning for you and me.

Go on.

They have meaning but in different ways. Christmas was an event, as we said, but as far as we are concerned it was something that happened in the past.

That makes sense. I can take that in.

But Easter, that’s another story. Easter, that is,the Resurrection was truly an event in the past, but as far as we are concerned, it’s something that will happen to me and to you in the future, when we are resurrected.

I follow you so far. There’s past and future. What else is left? The present.

Right. Pentecost did happen in Jerusalem in the year 33 but as far as you and I are concerned, it is happening right now, in the present.

How do you figure that?

You latch on to Penecost right now by your Confirmation. You know, the sacrament that confers the Holy Spirit.

Ah, I see what you mean. My Confirmation. But what do you mean, “latch on to”?

You must call upon the power of that sacrament by calling on God to renew the sacrament in you, by saying to God that you turn your life over to Him completely. You must say, as if you were on your death bed, that you want to live for Him.

Hmm. I don’t know whether I’m up to that.

Better think about it. You’ll never be the same. You think you will be giving up something but you really will be receiving great joy and strengthened faith.

I’ll have to think about it.

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