Bulletin #101
Pentecost is a significant event in the Christian calendar, commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ, as described in the New Testament Book of Acts. To some, it marks the birth of the Christian Church and is often referred to as the “birthday of the Church.”
When we ponder upon Pentecost and the meaning behind it, we must reflect on the times in our life when we have felt the presence of the Holy Spirit. Consider moments of inspiration, guidance, or comfort that you have experienced, and recognize them as manifestations of the Spirit’s work in your life. Like the apostles who received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and were empowered to proclaim the message of Jesus boldly, we must reflect on how the Spirit empowers us, to live out our faith in our daily life. Consider how you can be a witness to Christ’s love, mercy, and truth in your interactions with others.
Through the story of Pentecost, there is an aspect of unity in diversity of Christians. As Pentecost is often associated with the miraculous gift of speaking in tongues, which enabled people from diverse language backgrounds to understand the apostles’ message. We must see the diversity within the body of Christ and how the Holy Spirit unites believers across cultural, linguistic, and social barriers.
The early Christians gathered together in community, sharing their resources and supporting one another in faith. Therefore, we must live just as our forefathers lived, when Christianity was at its infancy. Look at your own Christian community, and through that communal life, see how you can contribute to the building up of the body of Christ through fellowship, service, and mutual support.
Therefore, during the Feast of Pentecost, we can deepen our understanding of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and open ourselves more fully to the Spirit’s guidance and empowerment for faithful living.
Rev. Fr. Movses Shannakian