The Fiftieth Day
“…suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit…” (Acts 2:1-4)
This miraculous work of God befall on the Fiftieth day of the resurrection of Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Father Anthony Mourad in his homily entitled “Why is Pentecost a Feast?” explains it amazed: “Now, this descent of the Holy Spirit is of crucial importance for us to understand. Humanity had long been in a state of alienation from God. In Genesis chapter 2 we read of how God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed in him the breath of life, which the Church, and more specifically Saint Cyril of Alexandria, teaches us that this breath was God’s very own Holy Spirit. Now after the fall, the Lord says in Genesis chapter 6 that His Spirit cannot dwell with man forever because of our current state…
And so ever since the fall, we have lost the indwelling of the Holy Spirit because we have estranged ourselves from God. And while we still see the Spirit of God aiding the people, working alongside them, even visiting them, the human being can no longer be a temple of the Holy Spirit because of the fall! However, ever since the incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ and God’s perfect plan of salvation, we now have new hope.”
The prayer of Prophet David concerning hope in the Holy Spirit is exemplary to these words of Father Anthony. “Cast me not away from your presence; and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation; and uphold me with your free spirit.” (Psalm 51:10-12) In these words of the prophet in his psalm, the Spirit is depicted as “Divine gift of God.” The Psalmist David has prayed craving for a new Spirit in verse 10 and in verse 11.
As Our Lord had previously told the disciples that He “will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever” as is written in the Saint John gospel (John 14:16), onwards His ascension then, on the tenth day, the Holy Spirit descended on the Saint Apostles, whilst they were gathered in one place. It is read; “When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed as resting upon each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Saint John says, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter (that is, the Holy Spirit), will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth. (John. 16:7, 13). This, His promise and benefit, is so great that we cannot even comprehend it: for the Lord promised to send not an Angel, not a man, but the Holy Spirit Himself.”
Archbishop Dmitri (Royster) stated:, “At Babel a false unity established out of pride led to a scattering of all men, confusion among the citizens of the earth. Diverse “tongues,” in this case, became indicative of divisions, man’s inability to understand God, his fellow man and environment. On Pentecost, however, the many “tongues” of the Divine Spirit became a sign and source for unity, a profound unity established through love for Christ that can only be granted by God Himself.”
The Holy Spirit is what embrace us strength, grace and spiritual virtue thru comforting in hard times. It descended upon the apostles on the Fiftieth from the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’s Resurrection, and they were endowed many gifts from God, many righteous and saints have been bestowed various presents accord their ardor. Most valuably though, Holy Spirit comforts and perseveres all in the name of Christians by the Lord’s crucifixion.
Dear brethren, we shall all celebrate in commemoration of the holiday that the Holy Spirit descended upon the chosen ones, the apostle, on the day of Pentecost. This is the confirmation day that they were bestowed heavenly grace, for the preaching of the Holy words of God and the Baptism of Christianity in “The Name of the Holy Father, The Holy Son and The Holy Spirit.” They were endowed grace in transferring many to Christianity, heal many aliments and power to cast out demons.
They were the messengers of God for the spread of Holy words, “He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward” (Matthew 10:40), witnesses of His miraculous work done on the apostasy age and what is yet to come. Their words were true and healing as the Holy Spirit was with them. Then, we shall crave the Holy Spirit in healing our soul, embracement of gracefulness and endowment of eternal life.
May it be God’s Will for the descent of the Holy Spirit upon us, Amen!
Happy feast day!