My dear brothers and sisters in Christ and fellow seekers of Truth,

Grace and peace be with you this radiant Pentecost Sunday!

As a Dominican priest, one called to a life of study, contemplation, and preaching, there is no more vibrant feast for the soul than this one. Fifty days ago, we celebrated the glorious Resurrection of our Lord, and then His Ascension, leaving His disciples with a promise: “I will send you another Advocate.” Today, that promise explodes into reality.

Just as we heard in our first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, the disciples were gathered, perhaps still a little bewildered, certainly anxious, locked away for fear. Then, suddenly, there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, filling the entire house. And tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.

What an extraordinary moment! This isn’t just a historical event; it’s the very birth of the Church, the moment when God’s Spirit transforms a fearful huddle of followers into a courageous, outward-looking community. It’s the reversal of Babel, where instead of division, the Spirit brings understanding. People from every nation, every language, heard the Good News in their own tongue. This is a profound truth for us in the Unified Old Catholic Church, a Church committed to bridging divides, to embracing the glorious diversity of God’s creation, and to seeking unity in Christ.

The Spirit that descended on that first Pentecost is not a historical relic, but a living, breathing, active presence in our world, and most profoundly, within each one of us. As our Gospel from John reminds us, Jesus promised the Spirit of Truth, who “will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.” The Spirit is our constant guide, our divine teacher, our Advocate in a world often confused and disheartened.

So, how does this Pentecost, this ancient outpouring, apply to our lives today?

Firstly, the Spirit empowers us to overcome fear. Look at the Apostles: timid, hiding. After Pentecost, they are bold, proclaiming the Risen Christ even unto martyrdom. In our own lives, we often face fear: fear of failure, fear of judgment, fear of uncertainty, fear of speaking truth to power. The Holy Spirit instills fortitude, courage, and a holy boldness. It’s strength to stand up for justice, to speak out against injustice, to forgive when it’s hard, to love when it feels impossible.

Secondly, the Spirit calls us to unity in diversity. In a world increasingly fragmented by politics, ideologies, and even religious differences, Pentecost reminds us that the Spirit unites without erasing our distinctiveness. We don’t have to be uniform to be united. The Spirit allows us to hear and understand one another, even across seemingly insurmountable barriers. This is a core calling for us as Old Catholics: to be a bridge, to foster understanding, and to exemplify a Church where all are welcome and all gifts are honored, regardless of gender, orientation, or marital status. We are called to be a visible sign of God’s unifying love in a divided world.

Thirdly, the Spirit ignites our mission. The disciples weren’t just filled with the Spirit to feel good; they were filled to go forth. Each one of us, through our Baptism and Confirmation, has received the same Holy Spirit. We have been endowed with gifts: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. And beyond these, charismatic gifts for the building up of the Body of Christ. You might think, “I’m just a layperson,” but Pentecost reminds us that the Spirit falls on all flesh. Your unique talents, your compassionate heart, your discerning mind, these are tools for the Kingdom. Are you called to serve the poor? To teach? To console? To bring beauty into the world? To advocate for change? The Spirit is your guide and your strength.

Finally, as Dominicans, we speak of Veritas – Truth. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth, leading us deeper into the mysteries of God and the reality of creation. In a world awash with misinformation and conflicting narratives, the Spirit empowers us to discern, to seek what is truly good and true, and to proclaim it not with arrogance, but with conviction born of love and rigorous inquiry.

My friends, Pentecost is not merely a commemoration of what happened long ago. It is a vibrant, ongoing reality. The same Holy Spirit who descended upon the Apostles is waiting to fill us anew today. Open your hearts, pray for a fresh outpouring of grace. Let your fears be transformed into fortitude. Let your divisions be healed into authentic communion. And let your lives become living homilies, proclaiming the boundless love and truth of God, empowered by the very breath of God.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in us the fire of your love. Renew the face of the earth, and through us, renew the face of your Church.

Amen.