On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” John 20:19-23
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Pentecost. Pentecost represents the full bestowal of the Spirit on the Church, sanctifying and empowering the Apostles and all disciples. There were physical manifestations such as driving wind, the holy spirit being unseen yet powerful, moving where He wills and producing visible effects in people’s lives. The tongues of fire signifying the Spirit’s purifying and transforming action, burning away sin and igniting hearts with zeal for God’s mission. At Pentecost, the disciples received the Holy Spirit, which emboldened them to become fearless witnesses. Reflect today on the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. Have you allowed the Holy Spirit to transform you? Has the power of the Holy Spirit filled you with the power from on high, emboldened you, purified you and set you on fire to fulfill the mission God has entrusted to you? The Holy Spirit will transform us – if we let Him – setting our feet on the path to glory.