Pentecost

‘Pentecost’ means fifty – fifty days after the Passover and the Resurrection.  For the Jewish community it is a feast of ‘first fruits’ and also of thanksgiving for the gift of the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai.  This is why such crowds were gathered in Jerusalem.  It is also why the Holy Spirit comes down in the form of fire and wind – a sign of the New Covenant sealed in the Blood of Christ. 

As Christians we celebrate today as the birthday of the Church – the day when God empowers the disciples to carry out the commandment to bring the Good News to the ends of the earth and to baptise all people in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  The Spirit comes down individually upon the disciples but as part of a group.  It is a communal experience.  It is the same for us.  Our relationship with Christ in the Spirit is personal and individual but we do not receive the Spirit in isolation but to make us part of God’s family, the Mystical Body of Christ.  We cannot be Christians in isolation.

PARACLETE

No single English word can convey fully the role of the Spirit. ‘Paraclete’ literally means ‘called to one’s side’. This can be to provide moral support or encouragement, an example, and in a legal context the advocate who speaks on your behalf.