Pentecost

Reflection on the Gospel of John 16:12-15

/ chicoinematt

Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck

The Trinity: Living in the Heart of God’s Love

My son, my daughter, I love you so very much and am always with you. Come and be by my side and together our hearts will be one; one with our Father in Heaven and the Holy Spirit. “Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; to God who is, who was, and who is to come.”

Today, as we gather to reflect on the mystery and beauty of the Trinity, we hear the gentle, insistent call of God’s love. It is a love that does not waver, a love that does not leave us orphaned or alone. “Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it so much as dawned on man what God has prepared for those who love him.” Paul’s words to the Corinthians remind us of something we so often forget: that the wisdom and plans of God are far beyond anything we can imagine, and yet, through the Holy Spirit, He reveals Himself to us in ways both simple and profound.

Our Father in Heaven loves us immeasurably, not because of what we have done, but because we are His children. Today, we stand before the mystery of the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It’s tempting to treat this as just a theological idea, something abstract, something reserved for scholars and catechisms. But the Trinity is not a puzzle to be solved; it is a relationship to be entered into. The grace of the Trinity is given by the Father, through the Son, in the Holy Spirit. “The Father is Love, the Son is Grace, the Holy Spirit is their bond of fellowship, O Blessed Trinity.”

We say in our Creed: “We believe in one God.” Not three gods, but one God; above all things as Father, through all things as the Word, and in all things as the Spirit. This unity is not cold or distant. It is a unity that welcomes us in, that makes space for us, that draws us into the dance of divine love and communion.

In the Gospel, we hear Jesus preparing his friends for what’s to come: the sending of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The disciples didn’t understand, not yet. They couldn’t imagine how the story would unfold; how suffering, death, and resurrection would become the path to new life for all creation. But Jesus promises: “When he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth.” The Spirit will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears from the Father and the Son. He will declare to us the things that are coming.

And so, just as the disciples were sent out to build up the Body of Christ, we are sent too. How do we do this? Not by our own power, but by the grace of the Holy Spirit. God’s love enters our hearts and radiates outward; a quiet, steady light that touches others through our words and actions. Heart to heart. The Spirit transmits the Father’s love, through the Word of Jesus, into our own lives, so that we can share it with those around us.

The Holy Spirit nudges us; gently, persistently, toward a life that reflects the Gospel: loving God with all our heart, body, mind, and soul, and loving our neighbor as ourselves. When we allow the Spirit to move in us, we build up the Body of Christ, here and now, in our families, in our communities, in every ordinary moment. By saying yes to God’s will, we help create the kingdom of heaven wherever we go.

Living a Trinitarian life is not just about prayer or coming to Mass; though these are essential. It’s about letting that love spill over into every part of our lives: in acts of kindness, in forgiveness, in charity, in the way we greet a stranger or comfort a friend. Through the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, we are strengthened to be Christ’s presence in the world. Our words and actions become echoes of the love of the Trinity. And in return, we receive the gifts of the Spirit: joy, peace, love, happiness, reverence.

We become true children of God when we trust Him, obey Him, and let Him shape us into people of the New Covenant: people of love, people of relationship, people who walk the path toward a righteous life by building the Body of Christ around us.

My son, my daughter, I love you, and am always with you. Go out with love. Give praise, thanksgiving, and glory to our Father in heaven always. And remember: love and serve those around you, as I love you.

Amen.

Learn More about the Holy Trinity 

Live the Eucharist

About Our Guest Blogger

Blessed Carlo Acutis once said, “Not me, but God.” His words echo deeply in my own spiritual life. This blog is not about me, but about the work of the Holy Spirit. I choose to remain anonymous because the voice behind these reflections isn’t what matters — the One speaking through them is.

I am a lifelong Catholic with a deep love for Scripture, the sacraments, and the quiet ways God speaks through everyday life. Live the Eucharist was born from my desire to share how the Gospel and the Eucharist shape not just my Sundays, but every step of the journey.

My hope is that these reflections bless you, challenge you, and draw you closer to Jesus — truly present in the Eucharist and profoundly present in your daily life.

Thank you for sharing!

Reflection on the Gospel of John 20:19-23

/ chicoinematt

Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck

United by the Spirit: Living the Peace, Forgiveness, and Love of Pentecost

Pentecost

My dear brothers and sisters,

Today, let’s linger for a moment in the quiet afterglow of Pentecost. Imagine yourself in that upper room: doors bolted, hearts pounding, shame and fear swirling after the chaos of the cross. The disciples have every reason to shrink back, unsure if they even belong in the presence of their Lord. And then, suddenly, Jesus is there. Not with words of blame, but with a message that lands like a soft blanket: “Peace be with you.”

He doesn’t ask for explanations or apologies. He shows them his wounds; proof that love survived the grave. Their fear melts into joy, because in that moment, forgiveness is not just a concept. It’s a person. It’s Jesus, alive and loving them as fiercely as ever.

This is not just a story for that one locked room. It’s for every one of us who’s ever felt ashamed, unworthy, or afraid to stand before God. Jesus says, “Peace be with you,” not as a suggestion, but as a gift. He meets us in our fear and calls us beloved. “My son, my daughter, I love you so very much and am always with you.”

But Jesus doesn’t stop there. He breathes the Holy Spirit into his followers; not only to comfort them, but to send them out. “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” The Church’s mission is born right there, in the space between fear and forgiveness. The Holy Spirit fills that room, and suddenly the disciples are changed. They’re no longer hiding. They go out and speak in every tongue, sharing the Good News with the world.

You don’t need to be a perfect person for the Spirit to work wonders through you. The disciples were ordinary people: full of doubts, regrets, and rough edges. But when the Holy Spirit comes, those locked doors open wide. The Spirit meets us as we are, and gives us the courage, the words, and the love we need to build up the Church and the world around us.

The Spirit’s gifts aren’t just for a chosen few. Each of us receives them in unique ways: through our personalities, our strengths, even our weaknesses. Some of us build up the body of Christ with patience, others with kindness or faithfulness, still others with gentleness or self-control. These are the fruits of the Holy Spirit, growing quietly within us, lighting up our hearts so that we can share God’s love with everyone we meet.

And what is this love? It’s mercy that knows no end. It’s forgiveness that wipes away every sin. And it’s the invitation to join Jesus; not just in his suffering, but in his resurrection, in the joy and hope of new life.

So as we go out today, let’s remember: Jesus is always with us. The Spirit is alive in our hearts. We are called to forgive, to love, and to serve; not because we are perfect, but because we are loved.

Let’s give glory to our Lord God by living this truth. Let’s love our neighbor, forgive as we have been forgiven, and build a community where the light of the Spirit shines bright. And always remember these words: “I love you, my son, my daughter, and am always with you.” Go out with love, give praise and glory to our Father in Heaven, and love those around you as God loves you.

Amen.

Live the Eucharist

About Our Guest Blogger

Blessed Carlo Acutis once said, “Not me, but God.” His words echo deeply in my own spiritual life. This blog is not about me, but about the work of the Holy Spirit. I choose to remain anonymous because the voice behind these reflections isn’t what matters — the One speaking through them is.

I am a lifelong Catholic with a deep love for Scripture, the sacraments, and the quiet ways God speaks through everyday life. Live the Eucharist was born from my desire to share how the Gospel and the Eucharist shape not just my Sundays, but every step of the journey.

My hope is that these reflections bless you, challenge you, and draw you closer to Jesus — truly present in the Eucharist and profoundly present in your daily life.

Thank you for sharing!

The Church’s Birthday: What Pentecost Teaches Us About the Holy Spirit

/ chicoinematt

Every year, fifty days after Easter, the Church throws a birthday party of sorts. But this isn’t the kind of birthday where you blow out candles or awkwardly sing “Happy Birthday.” Pentecost marks something far more profound: the moment the Church was born through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Pentecost

The Upper Room: Where It All Began

Imagine the scene. The Apostles and Mary are gathered together in the Upper Room. They’re praying, waiting, wondering what comes next. Jesus had promised them a Helper—the Holy Spirit—but they probably didn’t fully grasp what that meant. Then, suddenly, a mighty wind fills the room, tongues of fire descend, and everything changes (Acts 2:1-4).

This wasn’t some private mystical experience. The Spirit’s arrival empowered the Apostles to speak in different languages, proclaiming the Gospel to people from every corner of the known world. What began as a small, frightened group of disciples instantly became a bold, Spirit-filled Church ready to take the Good News to the ends of the earth.

Pentecost: The Anti-Babel

To understand the full meaning of Pentecost, it helps to look backward—all the way to the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11). At Babel, humanity’s pride led them to build a tower to heaven, thinking they could reach God on their own terms. God confused their language, scattering them across the earth.

Pentecost reverses Babel. Instead of division, we see unity. Instead of prideful self-reliance, we witness humble reception of God’s gift. The Holy Spirit unites people of every nation, not by erasing their differences, but by enabling them to hear and understand the Gospel in their own language. Everything at Pentecost points back to this truth: all good things—especially unity—come from God.

The Church’s Distinguishing Marks Revealed

Pentecost gives us the Church’s “baby picture.” Even in her earliest moments, we can see her essential features.

  • Charismatic: The Church is filled with the Holy Spirit’s gifts. Tongues, preaching, healing—all flow from the Spirit’s power.
  • Trinitarian: The Spirit’s descent reveals the full work of the Trinity—sent by the Father and the Son (Acts 2:33-36).
  • Marian: Mary is present at Pentecost, just as she was present at Jesus’ conception. The Spirit overshadows both Mary and the Church, birthing Christ and His Body.
  • Apostolic and Petrine: The Apostles, led by Peter, proclaim the first great homily of the Church, explaining how Christ fulfills the Scriptures. Peter’s leadership demonstrates his unique role (Matthew 16:17-20).
  • Sacramental: Peter calls the people to repent and be baptized, receiving forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38-39).
  • Catholic: Though the first converts were Jews, they came from every nation, foreshadowing the Church’s universal mission.

Always in a Situation of Pentecost

Pentecost isn’t simply a historical event to be remembered; it’s the Church’s ongoing reality. Saint John Paul II captured this beautifully: “The Church of Christ is always, so to speak, in a situation of Pentecost: she is always gathered in the Upper Room in prayer, and at the same time, driven by the powerful wind of the Spirit, she is always on the streets preaching” (June 8, 2003).

The same Spirit that empowered Peter and the Apostles is alive and active today. The Church’s mission continues, proclaiming Christ to every nation and generation. Even now, the Holy Spirit unites us across languages, cultures, and continents as one Body in Christ.

Pentecost, Holiness, and Mission

Saint Pope John Paul II often spoke of how holiness fuels mission. The Spirit doesn’t just empower us to preach; He sanctifies us to live holy lives. As John Paul II said, each saint is “a masterpiece of the Holy Spirit.” Holiness isn’t a luxury for a select few but the ordinary path of every Christian, made possible by the Spirit working in us.

This holiness starts in prayer, continues in the sacraments, and grows through charity and humility. As the Holy Spirit moves us closer to Christ, our witness naturally overflows into mission, just as it did for the Apostles on Pentecost.

The Holy Spirit: The Hidden Gift That Makes All Things New

The Holy Spirit remains somewhat mysterious. We cannot see Him, but His effects are undeniable. Like the wind, we hear His movement and feel His presence. He empowers the Church, guides her into truth, convicts hearts, comforts the suffering, and strengthens the weak.

Pentecost reminds us that the Church’s strength never comes from programs, popularity, or human wisdom. It comes from God’s Spirit. What began in the Upper Room now radiates to the entire world—and continues today in every parish, family, and soul open to His presence.

So this Pentecost, as we celebrate the Church’s birthday, may we echo the prayer of Saint John XXIII that John Paul II often repeated:

“O Holy Spirit, Paraclete, perfect in us the work begun by Jesus… Let everything in us be on a grand scale: the search for truth and the devotion to it, and readiness for self-sacrifice, even to the cross and death.”

Come, Holy Spirit, come.

Thank you for sharing!