Scripture Opened

Dear friends

Today is Pentecost Sunday which means fifty days have passed since we celebrated the glorious resurrection of Jesus at Easter. Pentecost also marks the end of Eastertide because Easter isn’t just a day; it’s a season in the Church’s liturgical calendar.

Pentecost is an extraordinary solemnity and is detailed vividly in today’s first reading (Acts 2:1-11). In Acts we hear something of the amazing drama of the coming of the Holy Spirit - there’s loud noises, tongues of fire, people speaking foreign languages and a gathering of people from all sorts of exotic places.

The apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and came to the profound realisation that the treasure, which is the Good News of Jesus Christ is meant to be shared as far and wide as possible. When the Good News is shared it doesn’t diminish, rather it increases. When the Good News is shared, from one to another, it’s not halved rather it doubles. Nothing of the treasure of knowing Christ is taken away when you offer it to someone else.

Pentecost is also an opportune solemnity to reflect on our Confirmation. In a sense, our Confirmation is like our own Pentecost moment. At our Confirmation we were sealed with the Holy Spirit and received the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. Like any gift we receive, it is only useful if we unwrap it. Leaving gifts wrapped and in the corner isn’t much use to anyone.

So, this week let us reflect on our own Confirmation and the gifts we were given to share.

God bless you       
Deacon Tom

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