What is Pentecost?

Many churches around the world celebrate Pentecost – from the Greek Pentecoste – which was the fiftieth day after the Passover. While it was originally a harvest festival (Shavuot, or the festival of weeks; Lev 23:15-22), it was later associated with the giving of the Law from Sinai. Among Christians, Pentecost Sunday is the 7th Sunday after Easter.

What does Pentecost mean for us today?

Pentecost shows that God has kept his promises. The Spirit now empowers all of God’s people to fulfil their God-given human calling. And the Spirit fills us with love for all.

While one could say a lot about the work of the Spirit in the life of the Church, we could briefly focus on these three key implications of Pentecost.

Pentecost shows that God has kept his promises. The Spirit now empowers all of God’s people to fulfil their God-given human calling. And the Spirit fills us with love for all

The Promise of Pentecost – The Kingdom is here

John the Baptizer had prophesied that one greater than him would come who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire (Luke 3:16). After his resurrection, Jesus promised his disciples that he would send upon them the Father’s promise of power to be witnesses (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8).

That promise is fulfilled on the day of Pentecost, with signs of unmistakable power. A rushing mighty wind (as in Ezek 37) and the gathered 120 disciples speaking in other languages, glorifying God, with tongues of fire on them.

Jesus inaugurated the promised kingdom of God through his life, message, miracles, the cross, resurrection and ascension, and in the coming of the Spirit on Pentecost (Mark 1:15; Luke 4:43; Acts 1:3). We now live in this kingdom age, even as we await the final consummation of the kingdom of earth at his glorious coming. All of God’s promises will be fulfilled in our lives, ultimately.

Source: Catechists of St. Francis Xavier