Acts 2:1-11 / 1 Cor 12:3-7, 12-13 / John 20:19-23
The reality of this world can be generally divided or categorized into two realms.
One realm is the visible reality, and the other is the invisible. Although invisible, it is still a reality.
Understandably, we are more familiar with the visible reality or the visible realm.
That visible realm or reality is not limited to only what can be seen. It is also about what can be heard, what can be touched, what can be smelled and what can be tasted.
In other words, the reality of the visible realm is what can be experienced by the five senses.
That is what we are familiar with as we are able to experience that reality with our senses.
What we may not be familiar with is the spiritual realm.
On this Feast of Pentecost, the spiritual realm is revealed to us in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third Person in the unity of the Holy Trinity. In the Creed, we profess that the Holy Spirit is Lord and the Giver of Life.
We often associate the Holy Spirit as something like a powerful wind or tongues of fire, as we heard in the 1st reading.
And Holy Spirit is also often associated in the form of a dove, as the Holy Spirit came down in the form of a dove at the baptism of Jesus.
But on this Feast of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit comes down upon the Church, upon each of us, to reveal Himself more to us, and to give us a deeper understanding.
As on that first Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples and they went out bravely to proclaim the marvels of God.
So, the Holy Spirit is revealed in the members of the Body of Christ.
Over and above the five senses with which we experience the reality of the visible realm, the Holy Spirit gives us another sense.
The Holy Spirit gives us the spiritual sense, with which we are able to experience the invisible realm.
So, the Holy Spirit reveals to us the ways of God in this world. The Holy Spirit also reveals to us how God works in and through us.
The 2nd reading, from one Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13, tells us this: There is a variety of gifts but always the same Spirit. There all sorts of service to be done, but always to the same Lord, working in all sorts of different ways in different people, it is the same God who is working in all of them. The particular way in which the Spirit is given to each person is for a good purpose.
So, with the Holy Spirit in each of us, we become a part of God's revelation in the Church, and to the world.
The most profound sign of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is when we, the People of God, are gathered in prayer.
The disciples were gathered in prayer in the upper room, and the Holy Spirit descended upon them.
As we gather in worship and prayer, Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit upon us, and we respond in thanksgiving and singing the praises of God.
In worship and in prayer, the Holy Spirit unites us as the Church and as the Body of Christ.
And guided and prompted by the Holy Spirit, we reveal God to each other and to the world.
We reveal the presence of God through acts of love and words of peace.
We reveal the compassion and the forgiveness of God.
Over and above the five human senses, we bear witness to the divine sense, which is the spiritual sense.
When we bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit, which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, others will be able to sense the presence of God.
That is our Christian mission, and may Holy Spirit help us to fulfil that mission.