Pentecost
Pentecost was originally an Old Testament festival,
since the time of Josephus calculated as beginning on the fiftieth day
after the beginning of Passover. In the Christian calendar, it falls on
the seventh Sunday after Easter. It was called the Feast
of Weeks (Shavuot),
and in the Old Testament was originally an agricultural festival celebrating
and giving thanks for the "first fruits" of the early spring
harvest (Lev 23, Exod 23, 34).
By the early New Testament period, it had gradually lost its association with agriculture and became associated with the celebration of God’s creation of His people and their religious history. By the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, the festival focused exclusively on God’s gracious gift of Torah (the "Law") on Mount Sinai. It continues to be celebrated in this manner in modern Judaism.
For Christians, Pentecost Sunday is a day to celebrate hope, a hope evoked by the knowledge that God through His Holy Spirit is at work among His people. It is a celebration of newness, of recreation, of renewal of purpose, mission, and calling as God’s people. It is a celebration of God’s ongoing work in the world. Yet, it is also a recognition that His work is done through His people as He pours out His presence upon them.
Ref: www.cresourcei.org
Languages
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.
And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent
wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided
tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each
of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak
in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. (Acts 2:1-4 NRSV)
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Holy
Spirit in other Languages
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Heilige
Gees - Africaans
Espíritu Santo - Spanish Spirito Santo - Italian Heiligen Geist - German |
Yalo
Tabu - Fijian
Saint-Esprit - French Helligånden - Danish Svetais Gars - Latvian |
Witnessing
Pentecost is also the Feast of Witnessing. Its grace is the
grace that makes us saints; it is a living thing; it must act to keep
its life. It challenges us to be living witnesses to Christ. God gave
the church His Spirit so that Christ's disciples would be witnesses.
THE
Holy Spirit
God
sent a gift known as the Holy Spirit into each of us. The Holy Spirit
is also known as the Holy Ghost. God sent this gift on Pentecost to the
apostles, and they felt stronger and not alone. They realized their lives
were only beginning because they needed to teach others about this glorious
gift. The Holy Spirit made a dramatic entrance into their lives, and now
He comes into ours through the waters of baptism.
After talking, just listen. Sometimes when we don’t know what words to say, the Holy Spirit helps us choose the right words. He quiets our fears. Within us lives the Holy Spirit. Let Him live in you and help you. God knew what He was doing by giving us a support system to help us live in our daily lives.
The
Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are the permanent dispositions which help
us to live the Christian life and follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
They complete and perfect the virtues of those who receive them. The Fruits
of the Holy Spirit are the virtues produced in our lives when we exercise
the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
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Gifts
of the Holy Spirit
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Gifts
of the Holy Spirit
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Pentecost
Articles
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& Recipes
Related Catechism
Go
to
US Conference of Catholic Bishops Website
www.usccb.org
Use search box at upper right to search for terms. Numbers refer to paragraph numbers of the Catechism.
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Pentecost
Themes |
Teachings
from the |
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evangelization |
#849-52,
#905, #2044-46 |
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gifts
and charisms |
#787-95,
#799-801, #1830-32 |
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Holy
Spirit |
#243-46,
#683-747, #1830-32, #1987-95, #2670-72 |
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mission
of Jesus |
#430,
#436, #438, #534, #536, #606, #608 |
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mission
of Church |
#781-86,
#949-53, #849-65, |
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ministries
of the Church |
#949-53 |
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mystery
of the Church |
#748-870,
#949-53 |
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prayer |
#2558-2758 |
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witness |
#897-913 |