The feast marks the end of the Easter season for Christians and commemorates the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the early followers of Jesus.
The descent of the Holy Spirit, which fulfilled God's promise to send the "promise of the Father" to the Apostles, completed the revelation of the Holy Trinity. The feast of Pentecost is a reminder of our own baptism by the Holy Spirit, received at the time of our Chrismation. The divine life is the life of grace, making us "partakers of the divine nature" and true children of God. The process of growing in the divine life is called deification or divinization, achieved through cooperation with the Holy Spirit. The Eastern Fathers of the Church call for constant prayer to the Holy Spirit for His guidance and cleansing.
Consider wearing green this Sunday! The color green symbolizes the New Life we have in the Spirit of God and represents the spiritual rebirth and rejuvenation of spring. During the Divine Liturgy, the priest will kneel at the altar to pray in honor of the Holy Trinity, and the congregation will join in kneeling. This marks the transition from the festive Paschal-Resurrectional-Ascensional season to the Pentecostal period of regular liturgical time. There are also three very rich and beautiful "Prayers of Kneeling" that are prescribed for the Vespers service on the evening of Pentecost Sunday. For pastoral reasons some or all of these Prayers of Kneeling are often prayed in Byzantine Catholic parishes before or after the Sunday Divine Liturgy.
Glory to Jesus Christ!
In John 7:37-52, Jesus stands up during the Feast of Tabernacles and proclaims a powerful message: “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.” He goes on to say that whoever believes in him will have streams of living water flowing from within them. This statement causes division among the people, with some believing him to be the Messiah while others question his authority. The Pharisees send officers to arrest Jesus, but they are unable to do so because of the power of his words. The officers return empty-handed, and the Pharisees criticize them for being swayed by Jesus’ teachings. The chapter concludes with Nicodemus, a Pharisee who secretly believes in Jesus, speaking up in defense of Jesus, stating that they must give him a fair hearing before passing judgment. This passage highlights the ongoing conflict and disbelief that Jesus faced during his ministry.
Additionally, in John 8:12, Jesus declares, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” This powerful statement emphasizes Jesus’ role as a guiding force in the lives of believers, illuminating their path and providing them with hope and direction. Throughout the Bible, light is often used as a symbol of truth, righteousness, and salvation, contrasting with darkness, which represents sin, ignorance, and despair. By identifying himself as the light of the world, Jesus is asserting his divinity and offering a way for people to find spiritual enlightenment and redemption. This verse reminds us to trust in Jesus as our source of guidance and to follow his teachings in order to live a life filled with purpose and meaning.