Today we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost, the birthday of the Church, the day the Holy Spirit came in wind and fire and changed everything. One of the most recent happenings in the Universal Church is the election of our new Pope, Leo XIV. He is the 266th successor of Peter the Apostle. Jesus chose Peter to be the First Pope, and counting from Peter in an unbroken line of succession, we now have Leo XIV asthe 267th Pope. Considering the freshness of the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV, I want to reflect on the impact of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the life of our first Pope, Peter the Apostle.
Let us go back, briefly, to Holy Thursday night. Peter was the bold one who was full of promises. He told Jesus, “Even if everyone else leaves you, I will never leave you. I will lay down my life for you.” But a few hours later, Peter is standing by a charcoal fire. Jesus is on trial. Peter is in the courtyard, warming his hands. And a servant girl, a young girl, asks him, “Aren’t you one of his disciples?” And Peter replies, “I don’t know the man.” Peter denied his master not once, not twice, but thrice. Then the cock crows. Peter remembers the prophecy of his master, “Peter, you say you will lay down your life for me? I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter runs away and weeps profusely.
Yes, Peter could not believe what he had just done: three times he denied the master he loved so dearly, the master he had promised to stand by even if others should fail. Peter had faith, but not the strength. He loved Jesus, but he was terrified of suffering. He truly wanted to be loyal, but he let fear have the final word. Peter reminds me of myself. He reminds me of when I fear what people might think if I take my faith seriously. Peter reminds me of times I have been unsure if I am capable of the life Christ has called me to live. Peter reminds me of the times I hesitated to follow Jesus “too closely” because of the cost. Yes, that is the Peter before Pentecost. And it is mind-boggling that it is such a person the Holy Spirit chose to be the first Pope, the Vicar of Christ.
Fast-forward about 50 days: the disciples are in the Upper Room, still afraid behind locked doors. And then, boom! Suddenly, a noise like a strong driving wind and tongues of fire come from the sky to rest on each of the disciples. Then there is a sudden change. Peter is no longer afraid, he is no longer hiding, and he is no longer silent. He preaches so boldly and convincingly that three thousand people were baptized that day. But what happened? He is still the same Peter, the same man, and with the same heart. The difference is that he is now filled with the Holy Spirit. That is how the Holy Spirit operates. He does not erase your humanity; he fills it. He does not replace your personality; he sanctifies it. He takes your fear and transforms it into fire. The Holy Spirit transforms us through his seven gifts: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord. We receive these gifts in Baptism, and they are sealed in confirmation. Wisdom helps us to see the world through God’s eyes. Understanding deepens our grasp of scripture and God’s plan. Counsel helps us to make decisions through the eyes of God’s will. Fortitude gives us spiritual courage to do what is hard. Piety inspires us to worship and trust God. And fear of the Lord fills us with humble awe before God’s majesty. On Pentecost Day, Peter’s transformation came from the Holy Spirit’s gift of fortitude.
As Catholics, our Baptism was our first Pentecost. Confirmation sealed the gifts we received at Baptism. And we are united with the risen Christ every time we receive the Holy Eucharist. Today’s feast reminds us to live with the courage of Peter. Yes, not every one of us can be an effective street preacher like Peter, but every single one of us is called to live boldly: to pray without shame at home and in public; to lovingly speak the truth even when it is not popular; to forgive someone who hurt you deeply, to keep the faith even when others mock it. That takes courage that comes from the Holy Spirit. And the same Holy Spirit that set the timid Peter on fire for the Lord is still available to us today. You do not need to be perfect to receive the Holy Spirit; you just need to be open.
As we prepare to receive Jesus Christ in the most Holy Eucharist, let us pray that the Holy Spirit may come into our hearts, set us on fire with His love, give us the courage of Peter that we may live boldly, love deeply, and witness faithfully to divine truth until we come to our heavenly inheritance, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Homily for Pentecost Sunday Year C 2025
Thank you Father Ochigbo. Your words are just the right message that I needed to hear today.
Thank you for your kind feedback. God bless you.
Thank you for uploading your kind words Father E. Enjoying your uploads from N.M . Keep it up Father!
You are welcome. God bless you.
Thanks Fada!