St. Joseph's Catholic Church

Come, Holy Spirit

 Today we celebrate Pentecost, the birthday of the Church — the day the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles and turned a frightened group of disciples into bold witnesses to the ends of the earth. This day marks the fulfillment of Christ’s promise to send the Advocate, the Spirit of Truth, who would empower His followers and guide them into all truth

The Gospel of John tells us that the disciples were hiding behind locked doors, paralyzed by fear. Jesus comes to them — not to rebuke or scold — but to breathe peace into their hearts. “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you… Receive the Holy Spirit.”

The Holy Spirit transforms timid disciples into courageous apostles. The same Peter who denied Jesus three times now stands before thousands and proclaims the Gospel fearlessly. This is what the Holy Spirit does: He fills our weakness with God’s strength.

Each of us has received the Holy Spirit in Baptism and Confirmation. We are temples of the Spirit. Pentecost is not just a past event — it is a living reality. The Spirit is still being poured out today. The world still needs bold witnesses, peace-bearers, and faithful servants of Christ.

Pentecost is a fire that must not go out. The Holy Spirit has been given — not only to the apostles, but to each one of us. Let us open the locked doors of our hearts. Let the Spirit come in. Let Him send us out.

“Come, Holy Spirit, and renew the face of the earth!” Amen.