The Zeal of the Holy Spirit
A Reflection for Pentecost Sunday
Brent Smith, Director of Adult Faith Formation & Evangelization
The first sentence of Scripture proclaimed at Mass this weekend reveals the focal point of our liturgical celebration. On the day of Pentecost the wait is over; Jesus Christ’s expectation of his apostles is realized. In that upper room those leaders received the zeal of the Holy Spirit! As bearers of the Heavenly Father’s gift of Salvation – known through the Pascal Mystery of Christ – the Apostles are unmistakably driven out into the streets to evangelize. As affirmation of their common mission, and as a sign of help from the Holy Spirit, their speech is supernaturally heard in every language. A phenomenal moment in the early life of the Church!
The apostolic vocation, to preach the Good News, is most evident in the lives of bishops, priests, deacons, and vowed religious. Such men and women – Venerable Fulton J. Sheen and St. Teresa of Calcutta certainly famous among them – have given their lives to the Holy Spirit. Anyone who loves the Church and is willing to welcome others into her Sacramental life is engaged in the same mission. Ordained ministers, dedicated pastoral associates, and devout Catholics alike share the vocation of sharing the Gospel with their communities.
St. Paul, in his first letter to Christians Corinth, explains what this shared vocation looks like. Upon mentioning that knowledge of Jesus is a gift of the Holy Spirit, he continues, “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit” (1 Cor 12:4-6). In my own life, I have the gift of counsel when it comes to explaining the Catholic faith and the Scriptures. What is your spiritual gift? What working (aka, talent) do you have to share with your family, your community, & our parish?
The Holy Spirit is ready to fill your heart with zeal for the Gospel! Please pray with me: Heavenly Father, thank you for your abundant mercy! Send the Spirit of Joy into our lives. Make us keenly aware of opportunities for us to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with anyone we meet. Help us to remain in relationship with Him and His Church. Amen.