After the crucufixion, the disciples of Jesus were afraid and many ran away. They struggled to believe in the resurrection and the promises that had been opened up, the promise that the risen Christ was present to them now and they would share in the hope of eternal life, for ever and ever. They would know unending joy in the presence of God if they followed their Master to the end, even to the cross. When Jesus appeared to them, having been raised from the dead, He always offered them two gifts – the gift of peace and the gift of forgiveness and mercy. He strengthened them with the words, “Do not be afraid.” The offer of God’s mercy which leads to new life is celebrated at Pentecost as we celebrate the birthday of the Church. With sins forgiven, we are restored into new relationship with the Father and with one another. God gives the members of the Church the gifts of the Spirit and grants many gifts so that each person is called to use his or her gifts to build up the Church and serve others in need. Each of us has a particular call and, in the words of John Henry Newman, a “definitive service” for the Lord.
We are sent out on this feast as missionaries of Christ. We are sent to share our hope with others. We are sent out from Holy Mass into our families, our workplaces, our schools to share the hope of our faith with others. There are times when it is right to speak loudly about our faith, even if we are opposed or ridiculed for the sake of truth. At other times we do this through love when actions speak louder than words. Can I share my hope with another person? If not, then pray to the Holy Spirit for the gift of courage. Do I have to make a difficult decision? Ask the Holy Spirit for the gift of wisdom. Am I caring for a sick member of the family and feeling that life is impossible? Ask from the Holy Spirit the gift of understanding and patience. The Holy Spirit is our “delightful guest,” in the words of today’s Sequence, and touches our hearts to give us comfort.