When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. (Acts 2:1-4)
The word “Pentecost” is actually a Greek word meaning “fiftieth.” What we commemorate on Pentecost is the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, an event which occurred fifty days (including Easter Sunday) after the Resurrection.
Historically and symbolically, Pentecost is related to the Jewish Festival of Weeks, celebrating the day (occurring fifty days after the Exodus) on which God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai. What we have are two events in the Old Testament pointing to two future events in the New Testament. In the Exodus, the Jewish people were freed from their slavery in Egypt. In the New Testament, the Resurrection freed all of us from slavery to sin and death. Fifty days after the Exodus, God gave Moses the Ten Commandments. Fifty days after the Resurrection, God send his Holy Spirit to give us wisdom and understanding by writing the law on our hearts.
The celebration of Pentecost is often referred to as the Church’s “birthday,” and its celebration goes back to Apostolic times. St. Irenæus wrote about it in the early 2nd Century, and Tertullian spoke about it as being well established around the year 200 A.D.
In parts of Italy it is customary to scatter red rose leaves from the ceiling of churches to recall the miracle of the fiery tongues. It is even called Pascha rossa because of the red colors of the vestments used on Pentecost. In some places in France it is customary to blow trumpets during Mass, to recall the sound of the mighty wind which accompanied the Descent of the Holy Spirit. We might not have trumpets or rose petals for Mass, but we certainly have the red vestments. And we call down the Holy Spirit upon us so that the 7 gifts (described on the back of this page) might be ours. Thank God for the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and Happy Birthday, Church!
Rev. Msgr. Christopher H. Nalty
msgr.nalty@gmail.com
