Pentecost Sunday:

I will put my spirit within you.

(Ezekiel 37:14)

On Pentecost Sunday we celebrate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit of God “upon all flesh” (Joel 3:1) just as God the Father had promised (Lk 24:49). We call it “Pentecost” because it happened during the Jewish Festival of Pentecost (Acts 2) when the disciples “returned to Jerusalem with great joy gathering in the temple and praising God” (Lk 24:52-53).

“Great joy” marks Jesus’ story—the Gospel story, from beginning to end:

            Christmas (Lk 2:10):     “…good news of great joy for all the people.”

            Epiphany (Lk 10:21):    “Jesus was full of joy…”

            Lent (Jn 16:10):             “Your grief will turn to joy.”

            Good Friday (Hb 12:2): “For the joy set before him Jesus endured the cross.”

            Easter (Lk 24:41):          “…joy and amazement.”

            Ascension (Hb 12:2):    “The joy …of sitting at the right hand of the throne of God.”

            Pentecost (Ro 14:17):    “…joy in the Holy Spirit.”

This joy comes to us during our ordinary days: “I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken and will act, says the Lord." The Christian Calendar refers to the remaining days, from Pentecost to Advent—near 160 days, as “Ordinary Days.” During our ordinary days, as we live out our lives on our “own soil,” the Holy Spirit assures us that the Lord is with us: “Emmanuel.”