Pentecost

Why is Pentecost an important time in our Christian Church Liturgical Calendar?

To understand the importance of Pentecost in our Christian faith, we have to look at the historical time in which it took place. Pentecost was a Jewish pilgrim festival – kind of like a public holiday, no one was to work, schools were closed, it was a time to celebrate the grand harvest.  

According to Jewish law of the time, all Jewish adult men were to attend and most likely would have packed up their families to attend. They would come from wherever they were living to Jerusalem. Thousands of pilgrims would have packed the streets of Jerusalem. The atmosphere would have been electric, and a little scary for the Apostles.

So, understanding the historical origin of the Pentecost festival helps us to understand the significance for our Christian faith. This festival just happens to occur 50 days after Jesus’ death and resurrection. He appeared from time to time to the apostles then Jesus ascended into heaven, fully leaving them. The Apostles felt alone and scared and were in hiding.

We read in the Acts of the Apostles that the Holy Spirit ascended upon the Apostles and they were filled with courage and confidence to go out and continue Jesus’ ministry on earth. Saints Peter and Paul called the first followers ‘The Way’ and spread the good news to all four corners, taking Christianity to every continent.