Homily of the Pentecost Sunday, Year C: 2025

The Pentecost marked the beginning of Christianity in the world because, on that day, the message of Christ’s death and resurrection was first proclaimed to people in Jerusalem in different languages. On that day, the Church began her evangelizing mission and continued till now. Reflecting on the Pentecost, I wonder: what is the role of the Holy Spirit in Church life and Christian’s life?

The Holy Spirit is like the wind, the voice or the fire as St. Luke described in the Acts of Apostles. If at the creation, God breathed into Adam’s nose to give him life, Jesus breathed upon his disciples to give them the Holy Spirit. We see that Jesus gave his Apostles the Holy Spirit, but he also commissioned them to go out and preach the Good News. According to John’s gospel which we have heard in the last three Sundays, the Holy Spirit comes from the Father and the Son, and She will teach us the whole Truth and reminds us all Jesus taught his disciples.

The Church went through many persecutions and trials from her enemies throughout centuries, but she still exists until now. That makes us think: how does the Church still exist? The simple answer is: the Holy Spirit. As Jesus promised: I will not leave you orphans, but the Advocate will come to teach you all things.

On a personal level, the Holy Spirit, in a mystical way, urges each of us to live our baptismal call. Think about what ministries you are involved in in this parish, attending prayer groups, feeding the hungry, catechist children, helping youth ministries, visiting the sick, or helping at Mass, etc. think about how you lived your vocation of family life faithfully and fruitfully. Do you think that by your own power and talents you did it? No, I believe: that is the Holy Spirit who urges you to do those things and make your works bear fruits. Without the Holy Spirit, we don’t have courage to step up to accept big responsibilities in your family, your community and your Church; without the Holy Spirit, we could not endure all kinds of oppositions and challenges when we do God’s works; without the Holy Spirit, it is difficult to discern our vocations and God’s will.

St. Paul had the best explanation about the role of the Holy Spirit Christian life. First, the Holy Spirit inspires all of us to proclaim: “Jesus is Lord,” and worship Him. Second, the Holy Spirit unifies the mystical body of Christ, which is the Church. In other words, the Holy Spirit is the bond between you and me to spread the Good News to the world. There are two communities, English and Spanish speaking in our parish, but we are one. The Holy Spirit helps us to work together to build a community of love here on earth. The Holy Spirit can help us to break language barriers to come together. Third, the Holy Spirit inspires us to actively involve ourselves in our parish missions like: witness to His mercy, feeding the hungry, defending the unborn and fighting for injustice, etc… Generally, the Holy Spirit can make us trust in God’s love and mercy, and She can assist us to patiently bear our crosses with joy, every day.

Dear friends in Christ, many of us had received the Holy Spirit through our baptism and confirmation. We have to keep a strong relationship with Her through our prayers and charity. Sins will damage our relationship with Her. We should not let any thought of selfish, greed, lust or hate cling to our heart because those are not the fruit of the Holy Spirit; “the fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control,” the Apostle said. These are the signs of the presence of the Holy Spirit in people’s hearts. Christians should not be ashamed to show those signs to people around us.