Reflection for May 24, 2026

Solemnity of Pentecost (A)

Acts 2:1-11 | Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34 | 1 Corinthians 12:3B-7, 12-13 | ​John 20:19-23

​Today we celebrate Pentecost—the coming of the Holy Spirit, the birth of the Church, and the conclusion of the Easter season. Pentecost traces its roots to the Jewish harvest festival of Shavuot, which marked the offering of the firstfruits gathered from the labor of the spring grain harvest. God chose this first Pentecost after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ to reveal a deeper spiritual harvest: the firstfruits of believers who entered the Kingdom through Peter’s powerful preaching on that day.

​Farmer Romulo was cruising down the road to La Trinidad in his trusty Isuzu tractor, proudly hauling a trailer loaded with organic fertilizer—also known as “premium farm perfume.” His mission was noble: to enrich his soil and grow healthier strawberries. As he passed by a small yard, eight-year-old Caloy spotted the tractor like it was the most exciting thing to happen all week. Naturally, curiosity kicked in. He yelled, “Kuya Romulo! What’s in your trailer?” Farmer Romulo shouted back, “Horse manure!” Caloy blinked, slightly impressed and slightly horrified. “What are you gonna do with it?” The farmer proudly replied, “I’m putting it on my strawberries!” Caloy stood there in deep concern for Romulo’s culinary choices, then yelled back: “Kuya, you should come eat with us instead… we put ice cream on our strawberries!” 

In our first reading, humanity decides to build a tower that would reach heaven, seeking to make themselves equal to God. In response, God confuses the language of those building the Tower of Babel, and they are no longer able to understand one another. Their attempt to make a name for themselves ultimately fails. In contrast, the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles recalls how the descent of the Holy Spirit reverses the confusion of Babel. When the Holy Spirit came upon those gathered, they began to speak in languages they had never known, allowing foreigners to hear and understand the mighty works of God.

During sacristy cleanup, altar server Junjun cornered his parish priest with the seriousness of a Vatican investigator. “Father, quick question… when Jesus was crucified, were His feet right over left, left over right, or side by side with two nails? I need theological closure.” Father Ben nearly dropped the ciborium lid. “Junjun,” he said, “you’re majoring on the minors. At this rate, next week you’ll ask me if the donkey that carried Jesus had emotional support issues.” Junjun blinked. The priest smiled. “Don’t confuse yourself chasing tiny details while forgetting the big truths. We have a God to serve, a soul to save, a neighbor to love, sin to avoid, hell to escape, and heaven to attain.” Junjun nodded slowly. “And the first step?” asked Father Ben. “To be in Church,” Junjun replied, “with my brothers, sisters… and preferably asking fewer weird foot questions.” Father Ben sighed in relief. “Progress.”

As St. Paul tells us in our first reading, the gift of the Holy Spirit graces us with clarity. In the Holy Spirit, there is no confusion. God sent His breath to bring about unity—the distinguishing characteristic of the Holy Trinity. Man, created in the image and likeness of God, is inherently made for unity and communion with both God and others. Through the Holy Spirit, we come to understand that Jesus is Lord, and that we are His body. Each one of us—whether young or old, rich or poor, male or female—is an essential part of that body. And that body, of which we are all members, is the Church.

Two little brothers, Jimmy and Israelito, had just finished supper and were burning off their last bit of chaos before bedtime. Somehow, Jimmy whacked Israelito with a stick—because apparently negotiations had failed and violence became Plan B. Naturally, tears were shed, dramatic accusations were launched, and both boys presented their side of the case like tiny lawyers in a courtroom. As their mother got them ready for bed, she sighed and said, “Now boys, what if one of you died tonight and never had the chance to forgive the other?” Israelito paused, thought deeply like a wise old philosopher, then said, “Okay, fine… I’ll forgive Jimmy tonight. But if we’re both still alive tomorrow morning… he better sleep with one eye open.”

How often do we hold on to our grudges and choose not to forgive? In our Gospel, the risen Jesus greets His disciples with words of peace. Our Lord gives them a mission, breathes on them to confer the Holy Spirit, and then declares that they have the power to forgive and retain sins. Through the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, disunity in our communion with God and with one another is restored. Forgiveness means letting go of our insistence on being right. It involves surrendering our anger and releasing our desire for retaliation or revenge, leaving justice in the hands of God. We must forgive not because our enemies or persecutors deserve it, but because we deserve peace—and most importantly, because God forgave us first. Today we celebrate not just history, but a living body—imperfect people made holy by grace, united in one faith, one Spirit, and one Lord.

Happy Birthday, One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church (Matthew 16:18; Acts 2:1-4)!

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