All are Sent

Fifty days after Easter Sunday we celebrate the fulfillment of all God’s promises in the feast of Pentecost, a feast that has sometimes been called the birthday of the church. One last time we are reminded that we Christians have received the Holy Spirit, not for our own benefit, but to enable us to follow our Christian vocation.

The centerpiece of the scriptures for Pentecost is the account in Acts of the Apostles of the sending of the Holy Spirit to the disciples. The other readings for this Sunday help us to understand what it means to live out our Christian vocation. Paul’s letter shows us the gifts and fruits that the Holy Spirit gives to us. John’s Gospel reminds us that Jesus has sent all his disciples to share his forgiveness and peace, through the power of the Holy Spirit.