When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. –Acts 2:1-3
Pentecost is the birthday of the Church! “For it was from the side of Christ as he slept the sleep of death upon the cross that there came forth the ‘wondrous sacrament of the whole Church.’ As Eve was formed from the sleeping Adam’s side, so the Church was born from the pierced heart of Christ hanging dead on the cross” (CCC 766). The Church was born of Christ’s own blood and water, just as a baby is born of blood and water in childbirth (see John 19:34). Jesus breathing the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles (John 20:22) is like God breathing His Spirit into Adam: “then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7). When the Holy Spirit was poured upon the Church, she became full of God’s life!
The Catechism teaches: “On the day of Pentecost when the seven weeks of Easter had come to an end, Christ’s Passover is fulfilled in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, manifested, given, and communicated as a divine person: of his fullness, Christ, the Lord, pours out the Spirit in abundance” (CCC 731). God continues to pour the same Holy Spirit upon us—the members of the Church—that He poured on the Apostles on Pentecost. This means that we are also full of God’s breath, life, and grace.
We cannot see or touch the Holy Spirit, but we place our trust in what is unseen, yet able to be felt in our hearts: “…hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us” (Romans 5:5). Have you ever felt the Holy Spirit in your heart? It is possible to feel the warmth and love of God if you are open and have faith that He truly dwells within you when you are in a state of grace. Especially pay attention to how your heart feels when you have just received the Holy Eucharist in Communion, or when you are praying in front of the Blessed Sacrament. Don’t try to force anything, just be still and open to feeling God’s love pouring into your heart.
Come Holy Spirit! Send down the fire of Your love into my heart. I believe that You are with me, dwelling within me and in my fellow Christians’ hearts. Never let me be separated from You.