WORD Reflection Guide Pentecost 2022

Why do we consider the Pentecost as the birth of the Church?

1. WORD

"Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire,

which parted and came to rest on each one of them.

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit

and began to speak in different tongues,

as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim" (Acts 2: 3 -4)

The imagery of the Pentecost is that of tongues of fire resting on the heads of those who were gathered in the Upper Room.

Related to the Pentecost, however, is that fire that came down on Mt. Sinai.

"Now Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke, because the Lord had come down upon it in fire. The smoke rose from it as though from a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled violently" (Exodus 19:18).

How is this related?

The Pentecost described by Luke in Acts corresponds to the Jewish Feast of the Weeks (Shavuot). This feast commemorates the giving of the Torah in Sinai.

Exodus described the event on Mt. Sinai when fire covered the top of the mountain when when God gave the Torah to the Hebrews.

It was also the time when they were established as the "Chosen People" upon their acceptance of the Torah.

The fire of tongues descending on the disciples recalls the descend of the fire of God in Exodus.

Thus, we can see that the "descent" of the fire on the disciples also signifies the birth of a "People of God."

2. OBSERVE

The Pentecost is considered to be the "birthday of the Church."

How come?

The answer is that it is because during this time that the people who heard Peter were baptized.

In the Old Testament, the Chosen People came into being by their acceptance of the Torah.

Just as Moses spoke to the Hebrews, Peter spoke to the peoples gathered in Jerusalem, whom he later baptized. Thus, by baptism a new people was born, the Church.

As we celebrate the Pentecost, we affirm once again that we are the "New Chosen People of God."

3. RESPOND

Heavenly Father, you sent the Holy Spirit upon the disciples during the Pentecost.

You established a New Covenant in Jesus.

And have chosen those who followed him as your New Chosen People.

By our baptism, we come to share in that New Covenant and become part of the Church, Christ Mystical Body.

May we always value our being Catholic Christians.

Protect us from false teachings.

Guide us the Pope and Bishops to listen to the Holy Spirit and protect them from false teachings.

4. DISCERN

The Church was born in the context of a community that prayed and preached.

The missionary aspect of the Church goes hand in hand with the contemplative aspect.

The Church that prays is also the Church that preaches. It cannot just pick one and ignore the other.

The celebration of prayer rallies, rosary brigades, and circles of discernment needs to be complemented with actions such as public demonstrations, legislative lobbying and community organizing among many others.

Lastly, we are losing numbers.

When I was in Grad School, I would always deny those contentions that Church in in the Philippines is slowly becoming irrelevant.

Now, I am re-thinking my position.

We are losing the faithful to the other faith communities. The recent election showed that the people are not listening to the guidance of their pastors. Majority of the youth are not going to Church.

Are we doing something about it?

If there are, what are those?

Are we all talk and meetings but no actions?