This weekend, we gather to celebrate not only the culmination of the great season of Easter, but more importantly, the Solemnity of Pentecost, our Parish Feast Day. It is the day when we are reminded that God continues to be with us. As Jesus said to His disciples the night before He died, “I will not leave you orphans. It is better that I go so that the promise of an Advocate would come. He will teach you and guide you.” Then, the Risen Lord said it again before He ascended to the Father, “Behold I am sending you the promise of my Father upon you; you [will] be clothed with power from on high.”

Like the disciples who were gifted with the Holy Spirit, we too have been clothed with that same Spirit. The Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. The Spirt that the Risen Lord breathed on His Apostles on that first Easter night. The Spirit that transformed the lives of the first followers of Jesus to be bold, courageous, yet gentle and loving, in the proclamation of the Kingdom.

As we celebrate the Solemnity of Pentecost, we give thanks for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Let the Spirit continue to guide us in our daily lives. Let the Spirit enflame our hearts to continue to be faith-filled and hope-filled especially during these very precarious times. Let the Spirit drive us to be the hands, the feet, the eyes, ears, and the heart of the Risen Lord. Let the Spirit fill us with His wisdom and love, making the Risen Christ even more present in our world today.

As we end the Easter Season, we look back on what we have celebrated, and we look forward on how we can continue the ministry of the Risen Lord. How do we want the Spirit to lead us? Where in our life do we need the Spirit’s help? Remember, the Spirit is in each one of us. All we need to do is be aware of the Spirit’s presence. Listen to what the Spirit is telling us. Do not be afraid. He is the Spirit of Truth and of Peace!

Let me conclude this message by quoting one of the greatest spiritual writers of the 21st century, Henri Nouwen:

When we speak about the Holy Spirit, we speak about the breath of God, breathing in us. The Greek word for “spirit” is pneuma, which means “breath.” We are seldom aware of our breathing. It is so essential for life that we only think about it when something is wrong with it.

The Spirit of God is like our breath. God’s spirit is more intimate to us than we are to ourselves. We might not often be aware of it, but without it we cannot live a “spiritual life.” It is the Holy Spirit of God who prays in us, who offers us the gifts of love, forgiveness, kindness, goodness, gentleness, peace, and joy. It is the Holy Spirit who offers us the life that death cannot destroy. Let us always pray: “Come, Holy Spirit, come.”

On behalf of Fr. Edgar and the rest of the parish and school staffs, I wish all of you a very blessed and happy Pentecost Sunday and Feast Day!