Our celebration of Pentecost was beautiful!
Pentecost celebrates the 50th and final day of the Easter season. We have seen many significant moments in our liturgy this month. After celebrating the Ascension of Jesus into Heaven recently we head into Pentecost and then Ordinary Time.
After the Ascension, the eleven remaining Apostles return to Jerusalem. Acts 1:14 says, “All these with one accord devoted themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.” During this time, the Apostles chose a replacement for Judas Iscariot. They cast lots between two men, and the lot fell on Matthias.
Which led us to Pentecost Sunday when after nine days of prayer the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples. They heard a sound like a “mighty wind,” and “tongues as of fire” were resting on their heads. That day, three thousand people believed in Christ and were received into His Church.
Pentecost is the great day when God manifested Himself in astounding ways with the Holy Spirit. It is the day that the apostles went out among the people without fear and established the beginning of the Catholic Church. The message of Christ touched many that day “as they praised God, and they were regarded with favor by all the people. And day by day the Lord added to those who were being saved,” (Acts 2:47.)
Listen to Fr. Byrd’s Pentecost homily!
In Case You Missed It: Our CCJC Memo for the Week and if you ever wondered why May is the Month of Mary read that here!
Image Credit by Jennifer Lindberg: Fr. Jerry Byrd proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ at Pentecost Sunday Mass.
