COME, HOLY SPIRIT: RENEW THE FACE OF THE EARTH
Homily for the Solemnity of Pentecost, Year A Fr. Ugochukwu Ugwoke, ISch Acts 2:1-11; 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13; John 20:19-23 There are moments in life when people feel exhausted internally even though everything around them appears normal. A person may have a job, family, friends, and even faith, yet still feel empty, fearful, discouraged, or spiritually dry. In many ways, this was the condition of the disciples before Pentecost. After the death and resurrection of Jesus, they remained locked in the upper room, afraid, uncertain, and confused about the future. They had seen the risen Christ, yet something was still missing. They needed the Holy Spirit. That is why Pentecost is not merely the celebration of an event that happened long ago. It is the celebration of the coming of divine life into fearful and broken humanity. In the first reading from Acts 2, the Holy Spirit descends like a mighty wind and tongues of fire. These images are deeply biblical. In the Old Testament, wind o...
