Pastor's Reflection - May 24, 2026

The Promise of the Father - Pentecost

You have heard me speak frequently about the importance of Pentecost and our ability to welcome the gift of the Holy Spirit into our lives to help strengthen and guide us through the joys and challenges of Christian discipleship.

There are three things I would like to highlight regarding the grace of Pentecost. Let’s call them the three “P’s” of Pentecost. 

Power. Jesus told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they were empowered from on high (cf. Luke 24:49). When the Holy Spirit came down upon the disciples, they were immediately sent out with that power to preach the Gospel with boldness. The Holy Spirit gave them the ability to overcome obstacles (especially cultural barriers) and to “cut them to the heart” (cf. Acts 2:37). We need this power today to help us be bold and to put into practice the Scripture someone gave me before I went into the seminary: “Not by power nor by might, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty” (Zechariah 4:6). The grace of Pentecost moves us out of self-reliance and into reliance on God’s grace and His power working within us.

Purpose (Clarity of Mind & Heart). Before enduring his passion, Jesus told us that he would send an Advocate who would lead us into all truth (cf. John 16:13). The Holy Spirit moves us away from superficial and fleeting pleasures and into servants of God who follow His commandments to love one another as He has loved us (cf. John 13:34). The grace of Pentecost helps us focus on the things that really matter. Our purpose is to serve and glorify God and to help usher in the Kingdom of God through forgiveness and reconciliation. Gazing at the news and headlines, we see so much confusion and lack of purpose. The Holy Spirit helps us to feel our dignity as children of God and to live out the grace of our baptism.

Proclamation. When the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary, she said, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (Luke 1:46). The grace of Pentecost enables us to give the glory and honor to God where it belongs. We are the creatures and God is the Creator. We honor and reverence that relationship and, unlike Adam and Eve, do not fall for the lie of wanting to compete with God. The grace of Pentecost orders our entire lives — body, mind, and spirit — to the greater glory of God.

We desperately need the grace of Pentecost in our Church today. It all starts with each one of us praying for the gift of the baptism in the Holy Spirit and allowing the Holy Spirit to send us forth with power, purpose, and proclamation.

Have a most blessed Pentecost!

In Christ,

Fr. James Northrop — Pastor