Pentecost Sunday Year A

Acts 2:1-11
1 Corinthians 12:3-7,12-13
John 20:19-23

How do I break down barriers? How can the Holy Spirit help?

The period immediately following Jesus’ Passion was a rather uncertain period for the disciples – through the Resurrection, Ascension and right up to Pentecost, an event we celebrate this week. We read a few weeks ago on the Second Week of Easter, even in the post-resurrection period, the disciples were afraid when they met in the room. We read, “the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews” (20:19). Then Jesus appeared among them, and the disciples were filled with excitement once more. Then, Jesus went away again! In the last week’s Scripture, we read how Jesus “was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven” (Acts 1:9-10). The disciples might be feeling somewhat forlorn. Jesus was taken away from them once again. How would they fend for themselves?

My dear friends, let us ask ourselves: like the disciples, do I too feel forlorn sometimes? The fact is, many of us do. So, what do we do? The answer lies in this week Feast of Pentecost, in the coming of the Holy Spirit. In other words, we need to look to the Holy Spirit.

In the First Reading this week, we read how, when the Holy Spirit descended on Pentecost Day, there was a dramatic transformation in the disciples. We read, “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.” (verse 4) The ability to speak in another language can be seen in both physical or figurative terms. In both cases, the ability to speak another language means that one is able to communicate with another person where previously there were barriers. And barriers may not be just physical, like the other person speaking in another language. Barriers can also be figurative. For example, barriers such as culture, life circumstances, education level, etc. On accounts of one or more of these, communication is broken. While overcoming language barriers is important, with modern technology, AI and translation apps, such barriers are now often surmountable. Indeed, it is the figurative barriers that are more challenging.

In Isa 11:1-3, the prophet enumerated seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, namely, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. My brothers and sisters, let us reflect: what gifts has the Holy Spirit bestowed upon me? The world is in need of better communications, between nations, community groups and individuals. How has God called me to use these gifts to break down communication barriers? This calling of God can take different forms to all of us. Writing to the Corinthians in the Second Reading, St Paul said, “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” (verse 4-7) For example, depends on out gifts and circumstances, we might be called to act as mediators between people; promoter of social causes (like charities); evangelist of our faith; implementors and facilitators of social programs; and so on.

Specifically on the seven gifts:

• Understanding: Perhaps I am given the ability to understand the perspectives of different people?
• Counsel: Perhaps, I am given the ability to speak the words of peace, to help counsel people?
• Fortitude: Perhaps I am given fortitude and strength, to persevere in my mission of peace, even as things become uncomfortable for me?
• Wisdom: Perhaps, I have the wisdom to comprehend difficult concepts, so as to help mediate between the informed and uninformed?
• Piety: Perhaps I am given a heart of devotion, that I am not easily swayed by social trends and the latest fad, that I can strengthen my wavering brothers and sisters with my sense of piety.
• Fear of the Lord: And ultimately, underpinning all other gifts, perhaps in my reverence and my holy fear of God, I am able to inspire, motivate and draw others closer to the truth and to God.

The truth is, the gifts of the Holy Spirit is vital in promoting better communications among people. And unless there is better communication between people, groups and nations, there can be no peace. This was precisely what Jesus charges His disciples in the Gospel this week. Post-resurrection, when He appeared to the disciples, He did not utter a single word of blame to the disciples for having abandoned Him at His Passion. Instead, our Lord’s first words were, “Peace be with you.” Why? Because, like many of us, the disciples did not abandon Jesus because they were inherently evil. Rather, there were barriers in their understanding of Jesus’ mission and God’s plan. Jesus’ Passion was the way God breaks down those barriers. My brothers and sisters, what barriers in our family, community and society are we called to break down? And like Jesus, are we sometime called to endure discomfort or even injustice, in order to break down those barriers?

This week, let us meditate on the Holy Spirit and take this command of Jesus to heart: “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” (verse 21) Shalom.