In Our Lord’s time, the feast of Shavuot, or of Weeks, or Pentecost, celebrated the anniversary of the giving of the law to Moses on Mount Sinai, the striking of the covenant between God and man, and the abundance of the harvest, symbolised by the offering of two loaves of the finest wheat from the first fruits of the harvest. It was a joyful feast, attended by a great congregation.

Fifty days after the institution of the new covenant, the feast of Pentecost was marked by the sending of the Holy Spirit who proceeds from the Father and the Son, and who guides the Church into the fullness of the teaching of Christ: the new law by which we receive grace. The harvest began immediately with the first fruits of 3,000 souls who were baptised after hearing St Peter preach salvation in Christ and the necessity of penance and baptism.

On this feast, we celebrate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our own lives. We received the Holy Spirit at our Baptism and Confirmation; in the Creed, we profess our faith in Him as the Lord and giver of life. He is he “spring of living water welling up to eternal life.” (Jn 4.14) We pray today for a renewal in our faith and devotion, especially as a witness to others.