Pentecost, a religious feast with multiple messages

Table of contents:

1- The Jewish feast of Pentecost

2- The strong symbols present in the two texts at the origin of the feasts of Pentecost

3- The messages of the Christian Pentecost

4- The universality of the Christian religion

5- God's promise to the Christian people

6- The message of Jesus spreads throughout the world

7- Pentecost: a tangible manifestation of the Holy Spirit

In a few days we will celebrate Pentecost. The name of this feast comes from the Greek. It means fiftieth: the day of Pentecost is in fact the fiftieth day after the feast of Easter. Pentecost is a feast for both Jews and Christians. St Luke's account of Pentecost in the Acts of the Apostles draws a clear parallel between the symbolism of the Jewish feast on which the tablets of the Law were handed over to Moses and that of the feast of the future Christian people: the first believers.

The Christian Pentecost offers strong messages that transition between the life of Jesus and the great story of Christianity.

The Jewish Feast of Pentecost

For Jews, the meaning of Pentecost has evolved throughout their history.

The feast originated from an event marking the end of the grain harvest. Gradually, it took on a more religious character, becoming a reminder of the gift of God's law to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 19). This text from Exodus recounts a theophany, i.e. a manifestation of God. The wind, the sound of a trumpet, then fire and finally the voice of thunder are the signs of this theophany.

After these manifestations of God, calling Moses to the mountain, God dictates to him the tablets of the Law. The handing over of the Decalogue (ten commandments) to Moses makes the Jewish people God's chosen people, the people who have received their laws from God, the people of the covenant.

The strong symbols in the two texts at the origin of the feasts of Pentecost

In Acts, Luke constructs his narrative with a structure similar to that of the Old Testament, where Moses receives the Ten Commandments for the Jewish people.

While the apostles are all gathered in one place to celebrate the Jewish Pentecost, a strong wind is heard. Tongues of fire appear. God has just given the apostles the Holy Spirit.

In the Pentecost account (Acts 2:1-4), the wind, the fire and the gift of God are already present in the Exodus account. The tongues of fire depicted above each apostle in the iconography are reminiscent of the burning bush that never goes out.

This parallel is of great importance for Luke: with Moses, God made the Jewish people the covenant people. With the apostles, the heirs of Jesus receive the Holy Spirit. The apostles and then the new believers become the messengers of the new word that God wants to convey to mankind.

The messages of the Christian Pentecost

Luke's account in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 1-47) gives us a threefold message.

- From the circumstances of his account: the presence of so many peoples in Jerusalem signifies the universality of the divine message.

- Through the parallel with the delivery of the Ten Commandments, he creates a link with the Old Testament: Pentecost is a transmission between God and men.

- Through the dispersion of these peoples in the world, he gives every Christian the mission to transmit the message of Christ.

The universality of the Christian religion

The manifestations of God, especially the noise, attract around the place where Jesus' disciples are gathered 'the devout Jews' gathered in Jerusalem at Pentecost. These people come from the Jewish diaspora that has spread throughout the known world. Luke emphasises the different origins of the people present. They came from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Rome, Arabia: from all over the world. These men "who had come en masse" were amazed because they heard all the apostles speak in their own language. In other words, they all understood the words of the apostles.

After the manifestation of God through wind and flame, we see the effect of the gift of the Holy Spirit on the apostles: they can make themselves understood by all, they can spread the Good News to the world. Pentecost is also interpreted as the reverse message of Babel (Genesis: 11:1-9), where God, in order to divide people, gives them different languages that no longer allow them to understand each other.

At Pentecost it is the other way around. Through the Holy Spirit, God gives everyone the ability to understand each other in order to spread the good news. The message of Pentecost goes further: God's love is directed to all peoples and nations.

People find unity in diversity to spread God's message.

God's promise to the Christian people

Through the words of St Peter, the text of St Luke becomes the one that differentiates the Jewish people from the Christian people. In fact, he begins by recalling the words of the prophet Joel who speaks of God's promise. At the end of time, God will pour out his spirit upon the whole world. All will receive revelations and prophecies. Those who call upon the Lord will be saved. (Acts 2:17-21).

Peter and the apostles witnessed the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. This resurrection is interpreted by Peter as a new time. He quotes the prophet David who did not rise from the dead and ascend to heaven. Peter thus makes the life and resurrection of Jesus the message of new times, the message of a new word to be spread throughout the world.

The message of Jesus spreads throughout the world

After the gift of the Holy Spirit mentioned in the first part of the Acts of the Apostles text, the narrative turns to the first believers. These witnesses of God's manifestations and then of Peter's speech turn to the apostles, asking them what to do.

Peter urges them to be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ, so that their sins may be forgiven and they may receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. About three thousand people are baptised that day. These are the people who will spread the good news to the known world. According to Luke's account, they are the first believers in the message of Christ, but also the first messengers.

Pentecost: a tangible manifestation of the Holy Spirit

The theme of the Holy Spirit is especially found in the Gospel of Luke. In the first pages of his Gospel, Mary and then Elizabeth are protected and inspired by the Holy Spirit. Later, Zechariah and then Simeon in the temple are filled with the Holy Spirit.

Also according to Luke, Jesus himself is filled with the Holy Spirit at his baptism.

In these few examples, Luke tells us that the Holy Spirit protects Mary, is in Elizabeth. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit is manifested in a visible form: tongues of fire. This visible, theophanic manifestation gives the signal for the spreading of the good news to the future great Christian community of the world. It is again a powerful symbol for the community of the first believers.

Today, more than ever, Pentecost remains a timely message. Unity among peoples is increasingly necessary and the spreading of a message of love and peace among all remains essential.

Prayer for Pentecost

Lord Jesus, we praise and thank you for Pentecost, which celebrates the sending of your Holy Spirit upon your disciples.

We thank you for the light, strength and wisdom you gave to your disciples so that they could proclaim your word with courage and eloquence.

We pray that we too may be filled with your Spirit, that we may proclaim your word with faith and energy, even in difficult situations.

Help us to be witnesses to your glory, so that others may come to faith in you.

We pray that this Feast of Pentecost will be a time of spiritual renewal for us, that we will be renewed by your presence and empowered to live according to your will.

We pray for all those who seek the Holy Spirit, that they may be filled with your presence and your light.


Amen