Sunday Readings for May 23-24, Pentecost Sunday
By Fr. Edward Looney | For On Mission
Fifty days have passed since the Church gathered around the holy fire during the Easter Vigil liturgy. In the darkness of night, the fire offered light. In a dimly lit church, light was passed from candle to candle from the Paschal candle. The dark church became illuminated by the light of Christ, who dispelled the darkness of night.
Fire is significant for the celebration of Pentecost, as heard in the first reading from Acts, when tongues of fire descended upon the apostles in the Upper Room. Not only is the Holy Spirit symbolized by a dove or wind, but also by fire because of the Pentecost events.
As we speak, we use the word “fire” with many different expressions: “That lit a fire under his feet.” “She is on fire.” “We need to rekindle the fire.” “This needs to spread like wildfire.” And many others. Some of them aptly capture the relationship of fire and the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit can light a fire under our feet and inspire us to act quickly. A person who is “on fire” may be filled with the Holy Spirit, who leads and guides. Sometimes the fire goes out, and we need to find ways to rekindle it through sacraments, prayer, retreat, etc. Or the knowledge or insight we have needs to spread like wildfire because we do not want to contain it.
St. Cyril of Jerusalem wrote a beautiful line about the Holy Spirit and his power to give light. He writes, “As light strikes the eyes of a man who comes out of darkness into the sunshine and enables him to see clearly things he could not discern before, so light floods the soul of the man counted worthy of receiving the Holy Spirit and enables him to see things beyond the range of human vision, things hitherto undreamed of.” This is what happens when the light of the Holy Spirit enters our souls. The fire and light of the Holy Spirit allow us to see more clearly spiritually.
As the Holy Spirit light shines in our hearts and lives, he has the power to expose dark areas of our lives to the light of God, and this light is purifying. Sometimes in the darkness we can see or make our way, but with the light of the Holy Spirit, the path becomes clearer and brighter.
This Pentecost Sunday, ask the Holy Spirit to shine his light in your heart, soul, and life. And follow the guiding light, trusting that the Holy Spirit, as the third person of the Holy Trinity, has a greater plan and path planned out for you. The Holy Spirit lit a fire in the hearts and souls of the apostles on that first Pentecost, and now that fire needs to be rekindled within each of us and spread to those around us.
The readings for Sunday, May 24, can be found at Pentecost Sunday | USCCB.
Fr. Edward Looneyserves as the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Shawano. He is an author and podcaster, with a presence on various social media platforms under the handle @FrEdwardLooney.