Acts 2:1-11 / 1 Cor 12:3-7, 12-13 / John 20:19-23
The most basic human needs are often said to be food, clothing, and shelter.
And depending on the circumstances, it may or may not be in that order.
These are what is called the physiological needs, and when these needs are met, then we move up the hierarchy of needs.
But there is one fundamental need that is often taken for granted.
To know what that need is, we just have to do this, and that is to just hold our breath.
Yes, we hold our breath and see how long we can hold it without breathing.
If we don’t breathe, or can’t breathe, or if there is no air to breathe, then we may last only for three to seven minutes.
That obviously tells us how critical and necessary breathing is, as well as the availability of clean fresh air.
Yet, we take breathing and air for granted, and we only realise the importance when we are deprived of it.
Today as the Church celebrates the Feast of Pentecost, we reflect on the signs and manifestations of the Holy Spirit.
From the Bible, we see five signs of the Holy Spirit.
They are water, oil, fire, wind, and the bodily form of the dove.
We see two of these signs, in the readings of today.
In the first reading, there is a powerful wind from heaven, and then there were tongues of fire that appeared and rested on the heads of the disciples.
They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak foreign languages as the Holy Spirit gave them the gift of speech.
And then in the Gospel, Jesus did something that was a unique reminder of the story of creation.
Jesus breathed on His disciples and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
That act of Jesus recalled the creation of man when God blew into the nostrils of man and then man became a living being.
Indeed, the Holy Spirit is Lord and the Giver of life, as we profess in the Creed.
And as we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost, Jesus also breathes the Holy Spirit on us.
It is a divine breath that blows away the dirt and the dust of sin and faults and failings from our hearts.
It is a divine breath that blows a cooling and healing wind on the wounds that are hurting from sin and pain.
The simple act of Jesus breathing on His disciples and on us has a deep and profound meaning.
Because it is the divine breath of the gift of the Holy Spirit, the breath of life and love.
Yes, Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit on us so that we can be sent forth and be the breath of the Holy Spirit.
Yes, we are to be the breath of the Holy Spirit for others.
Filled with the Holy Spirit, we are to be a good breath for others.
But a good breath can be turned into a bad breath.
It is a bad breath that won’t go away by brushing teeth or with mouth wash.
When we have bad breath, it means that we are sick or that there is something that is not right
In the spiritual sense, we are talking about sin that causes decay, and corrupted our spiritual health.
When that happens, we breathe the bad breath onto others.
Out of our mouths comes the bad breath of foul and vulgar words, criticisms, condemnations, and all sorts of smelly rubbish.
Even if we don't breathe that out, there is no fire of love in us.
Cold tea and cold rice can be bearable, but cold looks and cold words are like bad breath.
Today, on the Feast of Pentecost, Jesus breathes on us the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit heals the wounds of our sin and gives us life and love, and sends us forth with a divine breath.
With that divine breath of the Holy Spirit, let us speak words that are kind and gentle, words that affirm and encourage.
When words are spoken with the breath of the Holy Spirit, they will remain in the hearts of the listeners for a long time.