Weekly Gospel Reflection

In this week's reading, we encounter the event of Pentecost. The disciples find themselves huddled together in a room, filled with terror. Although Jesus had returned after the resurrection, he had now ascended to heaven. The disciples were unsure of what to do next and feared the persecution they might face from the Romans, considering the common use of crucifixion and other horrifying punishments of the time.

According to accounts, the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples in the form of tongues of fire. Empowered by the Spirit, they began speaking in different languages and were filled with confidence to spread the mission of Christ. This moment marks the birthplace, or rather the birthday, of the Church. From this point, the early Church developed a leadership structure with apostles, elders, and deacons. The lineage was passed down through the Sacrament of Holy Orders, from bishop to bishop and priest to priest, with the most renowned link being from St. Peter to Pope Francis today.

As members of the Church, we are also considered successors to the apostles. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit bestowed the gifts of wisdom, knowledge, understanding, counsel, fortitude, reverence, and awe & wonder. In the Catholic Tradition, it is believed that the Holy Spirit descends on us, bestowing the same gifts. By receiving these gifts, we are able to manifest them in our daily lives through the "fruits of the spirit."

As is common in the Hebrew Scriptures, deliberate connections are made between the New and Old Testaments. Pentecost, also known as Shavuot in Hebrew, was an important annual tradition taking place 50 days after the Passover festival. The name "Pentecost" itself derives from the Greek term for "fiftieth."

Pentecost commemorated the giving of the Law (Torah) to Moses on Mount Sinai. According to Jewish tradition, it was on this day that God established the covenant with the Israelites, giving them the Ten Commandments and the Torah, which formed the foundation of Jewish religious and ethical practices. Pentecost held both agricultural and religious significance for the Jewish people, signifying the wheat harvest in the land of Israel. The first fruits of the wheat harvest were presented as an offering to God at the Temple in Jerusalem during this festival, representing gratitude and thanksgiving for the provision of crops and sustenance.

For the Jewish people at that time, it would have been easy to draw connections between the Jewish festival occurring 50 days after Passover and the Holy Spirit descending on the disciples 50 days after Jesus' resurrection. This would also include the link between Jesus and the sacrificial lamb of the Jewish Passover.

This week, we are called to live out the mission given to us and reflect on how we display the fruits of the Holy Spirit:

Love: Focus on empathy towards others and make an extra effort to share with them.

Joy: Live in the present moment and express gratitude for the blessings in your life.

Peace: Treat others with respect and strive to be a peacemaker whenever possible.

Patience: Practice patience with one another, being polite and willing to wait a little longer.

Kindness: Perform small acts of kindness for others, such as treating someone to coffee.

Goodness: Be honest in your interactions with others, knowing that the truth sets you free.

Faithfulness: Be reliable and loyal to others, fostering true friendship.

Self-control: Focus on managing your emotions or maintaining healthier eating habits over the next few days.

This Friday, as we commemorate National Sorry Day, we remember and acknowledge the mistreatment, displacement, and trauma experienced by the Indigenous peoples of Australia. It is a day for reflection, apology, and a commitment to work towards reconciliation. Pentecost reminds us of the universal nature of the Gospel and the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. It inspires us to seek unity, understanding, and compassion across cultural and historical divides. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost transcends linguistic and cultural barriers, reminding us that the message of healing and reconciliation is for everyone. The 5/6 M Class fittingly chose the theme of their Class Mass to commemorate National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week, while the 3/4 TG class will dedicate their Mass to Pentecost the following week.

Heavenly Father,

Holy Spirit, fill our hearts with wisdom, understanding, and compassion. Grant us the courage to spread the message of healing and reconciliation. Help us bridge divides and build a society that values unity, love, and respect for all. We seek forgiveness for our past actions and the silence we have maintained. Guide us in working towards reconciliation, dismantling systemic injustices, and honouring their rich cultural heritage.

May Your Spirit empower us to live out the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control. Strengthen our resolve to be instruments of change and advocates for justice.

St John Vianney, 

Pray for us.