The story of Pentecost is one that is almost as hard to believe as the Resurrection story. People speaking and being understood in many different languages! Crazy!! Yet such was the birthday of the Church. Not all of us may have the gift of being able to speak multiple languages, however, the language of Love that Jesus told us to share can transcend many verbal and cultural divides. Are we willing to tell whoever will listen of the mighty acts of God!” Many people tell me they are not able to tell others about their faith. This is not uncommon as Paul tells us “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit.” It is important to remember that is the reason for community. That each can use the gifts they were given. Paul reminds us that the gifts given us by God are not just for ourselves but that, “to each the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.” The benefit is for the good of all not of just ourselves. We need to remember that we are all interdependent. No one can be an island unto themselves.
We have in the Gospel, Jesus breathing on the disciples and giving them the capacity to forgive sins, something only God can do in Hebrew traditions. Thus, even in this special moment Jesus is thinking of the entire community as we all are sinners and need God’s forgiveness. The sacrament that is instituted here is an important one. The forgiveness of sins also shows a break with the temple cult and worship where animals were regularly sacrificed for the forgiveness of one’s sins. This is truly a radical departure from Jewish custom. But as we know, the temple will only last for another forty years. Jesus was preparing the people for when the temple was gone and God forgives our sins without the death of another animal, as Jesus himself was the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.
Countenance of God 