Bishop Solis at Pentecost: 'Love is the common message we share'

Friday, May. 29, 2020

Greetings of Christ’s Peace and Love,

On Pentecost Sunday, we celebrate a significant feast in the life of all Christian believers. It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and disciples, 50 days after the feast of the Passover, signifying the fruits and effects that mark the completion of God’s work of redemption. The apostles and disciples returned to Jerusalem and gathered in the Upper Room after Jesus ascended to heaven. While praying together, the Holy Spirit descended upon them as a dove, but with a mighty roar, like the onrush of a violent wind that filled the room in a miraculous way. Fiery tongues descended on each of those present, giving evidence that the Holy Spirit was personally given to each of them.

The transforming power of God’s Spirit changed the lives of the fearful apostles and disciples completely. They emerged from their hiding place empowered with new strength, professing their faith in the Risen Lord and proclaiming the Gospel of love and salvation. Peter gave his first sermon, calling people to repent and be baptized so that they would receive the Holy Spirit. Scripture tells us thousands were converted into Christians that day, and the Church that stands today was inaugurated.

In these dark times, it might seem we are isolated in an upper room, given our fears and anxieties about the coronavirus. However, as Easter people, people of faith and hope, the disruption of our normal routines can offer opportunities to reflect on God’s presence in our lives and to pray that the Holy Spirit might empower us with courage, perseverance and trust in God’s abiding love. Even in these difficult times, amidst our own loneliness or darkness, we can reach out to others and share the gifts we have received with those in need. We, who have been baptized and confirmed, should remember the gifts we have been given, and recollect that, like Peter, we are called to be Spirit-filled evangelizers of the Good News. 

The apostles received the gift of tongues, able to speak to those gathered from different cultures. This is the gift of love infused into us by the Holy Spirit that brings reconciliation, mercy and understanding. Love is the common language we share. In our Utah Catholic community, we speak a variety of tongues, given our cultural diversity.  That love unites us and empowers us to reach out to others with cheer and encouragement. 

Pentecost calls us to remember the gifts we have received, and our call to share the good news of God’s abiding love with one another through our acts of kindness, justice and charity. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to rekindle in us the fire of God’s love that we may renew the face of the earth and pray:

O God, who by the mystery of today’s great feast, sanctifies your whole Church in every people and nation, pour out, we pray, the gifts of the Holy Spirit across the face of the earth and, with the divine grace that was at work when the Gospel was first proclaimed, fill now once more the hearts of all believers. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

God bless you all.

The Most Reverend Oscar A. Solis, Bishop of Salt Lake City