Pentecost is a Greek word that refers to the fiftieth day.  It was a festival that God told the Jewish People to celebrate fifty days after Passover when the first fruits of grain were harvested (Exodus 23: 16).

Christians celebrate a new Pentecost fifty days after the new Passover, Jesus’s Resurrection.  We have completed fifty days of Easter celebration and the Easter candle, which was lit at every Mass, will now only be lit for the celebrations of Baptisms and Funerals.

With Pentecost we remember how the Holy Spirit came to the apostles and the Blessed Virgin Mary and some others as they prayed in the Upper Room (Acts: 1: 13-14 and 2: 1-4).  The Holy Spirit had always been present in creation.  According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “The term ‘Spirit’ translates the Hebrew word ruah, which, in its primary sense, means breath, air, wind” (#691). It was the Spirit who “swept over the waters” as “a mighty wind” which brought about creation.  The Spirit rushed upon Samson (Judges 14: 6), King Saul (1 Samuel 10: 10 and 11: 6), and King David (1 Samuel 16: 13).  The Holy Spirit also came upon Mary and she conceived Jesus (Luke 1: 35).  So how is the outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost different?

At Pentecost the Holy Spirit not only rushed upon or overshadowed those who had gathered in the upper room.  The Holy Spirit entered into and took up residence within them.  They became temples of the Holy Spirit.  Now God, who is above and beyond all creation, also made Himself as close to us as our breath.

The effects of this indwelling were immediate.  Peter and the other apostles began to boldly proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ.  Three thousand people “accepted his message and were baptized” (Acts 2: 41) and the Church was born.

Today we celebrate the birthday of the Church.  Why not celebrate with a big birthday cake lit up with candles, reminders of the tongues of fire that came upon the first members of the Church, the Body of Christ?  I’m sure that would make the Holy Spirit happy.