Holy Father Pope Francis while addressing the faithful gathered at St. Peter’s Square in his Pentecost Sunday homily focused on the action of the Holy Spirit expressed in the Scripture readings from the Acts of the Apostles, St Paul’s letter to the Galatians, and St John’s Gospel. His Holiness Pope Francis highlighted that the Spirit transforms the hearts of the timid disciples from fearful men, huddled behind closed doors, to bold men who bear witness to Jesus.
As reported by Vatican Radio, Holy Father remarked that “The Holy Spirit penetrates the most unimaginable situations. He does so today just as he did in the Acts of the Apostles, in which He is the main character. He drives Philip from Jerusalem to Gaza, then to Azotus, then to Caesarea in constantly new situations to spread God’s newness. Paul is compelled by the Spirit traveling far and wide to bring the Gospel.” Further, His Holiness added, “As the soul of the Church, the Holy Spirit renews her with hope, fills her with joy, and causes her to blossom with new life. Even after 2000 years, the Spirit reminds the Church that she is always the youthful bride with whom the Lord is madly in love”.
His Holiness Pope Francis concluded his homily by reminding that the Spirit acts on the Church with “centripetal and centrifugal” forces and exhorted that “We are centered deep within with His centripetal force which brings unity, peace and strength amid affliction and temptation.”
