16 May 2027 · Syro-Malankara Rite
Open in the Daily Word appAlso: മലയാളം
“All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.” Acts 2:4
“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… 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.” Fifty days after Easter, the promise of the Father is fulfilled. The Church, gathered in prayer with Mary, receives the Spirit and is born into mission.
The crowds from every nation hear the apostles “in our own languages… speaking about God's deeds of power.” At Babel human pride scattered the nations in confusion of tongues; at Pentecost the Spirit gathers them in one faith, each hearing in his own language. The Church is catholic from her first day: one Spirit, many peoples, many languages, including ours.
The Old Testament readings were longing for this day. Moses wished: “Would that all the LORD's people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit on them!” Ezekiel promised: “A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you… I will put my spirit within you.” Now it happens. The Spirit who rested on a few prophets is poured out on all the baptised.
Jesus had promised: “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever… I will not leave you orphaned.” St Paul explains that the one Spirit gives many gifts, “to each… for the common good.” Each of us received this Spirit in Baptism and Chrismation. Pentecost asks: are we living by the Spirit's power, or as if he had never come?
Theme: “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Fifty days after Easter the promise of the Father is fulfilled. Wind and fire fill the upper room; frightened disciples become bold witnesses; people of many languages hear the wonders of God. The Church is born into mission.
“A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my spirit within you.” Ezekiel 36:26–27
“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 2:3–4
Apply: Thank God today for your Chrismation, and ask the Spirit to rekindle its grace.
“Would that all the LORD's people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit on them!” Numbers 11:29
“In our own languages we hear them speaking about God's deeds of power.” Acts 2:11
Apply: Use the gift the Spirit gave you (music, teaching, caring) in the service of your parish.
“Then the spirit of the LORD will possess you … and be turned into a different person.” 1 Samuel 10:6
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.” John 14:26
Apply: Read one chapter of the Acts of the Apostles each day this week.
Pentecost is the birthday of the Church and the fulfilment of Easter.
Let us live by the Spirit, speak the language of love, and bear witness to Christ everywhere.
Take-home resolution: Pray each morning this week: “Come, Holy Spirit, fill my heart and kindle in me the fire of your love.”
Dear brothers and sisters, today is the birthday of the Church. Fifty days after Easter, the apostles were gathered in prayer with Mary. Suddenly there came a sound like a mighty wind, and tongues like fire rested on each of them. They were filled with the Holy Spirit, and the frightened men who had locked the doors went out into the streets and proclaimed Christ.
People from every nation heard them, each in his own language, speaking of the wonders of God. At Babel, pride had scattered humanity into many languages that could not understand one another. At Pentecost the Spirit gathers the nations into one faith, without erasing their languages. That is why we can pray the Holy Qurbono in Syriac and Malayalam, in Tamil and Hindi and English: one Spirit, many tongues.
Moses once said: “Would that all the Lord's people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit on them!” Ezekiel promised: “A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you.” Today it happens. And it happened to you on the day of your Baptism, when you were anointed with holy Myron. The Spirit is not only for bishops and saints; he lives in you.
St Paul says the one Spirit gives many gifts, each for the common good. What is your gift? Music, teaching, caring for the sick, organising, praying? Offer it. And let us pray today with the whole Church: Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in us the fire of your love. Amen.
Children, happy birthday to the Church! Today the Holy Spirit came on the apostles like a big wind and little flames of fire!
The apostles were afraid before, but the Spirit made them brave, and they told everyone about Jesus in many languages.
The same Holy Spirit came to you at your baptism. He helps you to be brave and kind. Let's pray: “Come, Holy Spirit, fill my heart!”
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. As you came upon the apostles with Mary, come upon our families, our parish and our Church: give us a new heart, unite us in one faith, and send us to proclaim the wonders of God. Amen.