For the Apostles, in the absence of Jesus, trusting in His promises became more difficult. What about us, when we do not feel His presence?
Newsroom (06/08/2025 2:25 PM, Gaudium Press) — Normally, a gift is proportionate to the one who receives it. However, when it comes to graces, the rules of Providence are somewhat different. The liturgy for this Pentecost Sunday shows us an example of this.
If a cause can be measured by the effects it produces, the following comment helps illustrate the vital importance of the solemnity of Pentecost:
“Despite all that Our Lord had done for the Church, one could say—without pretending to make an exact comparison—that before Pentecost, the Church was like a clay figurine, which received the breath of life from God at Pentecost through the Divine Holy Spirit. That’s when everything changed—everything came to life, igniting the world and spreading like fire across it, up to today when the Gospel is preached to all peoples.” [1]
Indeed, the descent of the Holy Spirit completely transformed the Apostles: from fishermen, they became the greatest preachers in history—just remember that right after Pentecost, St. Peter gave a sermon that converted 3,000 people. From insecure and fearful men, they became firm and courageous, capable of facing persecution, hatred, and even death for the love of Christ.
Was This Grace Deserved?
Looking at this transformation, one might ask: What did they do to receive such a great grace? Did they deserve it?
Certainly not. A closer look at them before Pentecost reveals faults and shortcomings in each: John and James, for instance, asked their mother to request privileged places beside Jesus; Philip, after witnessing so many wonders in Jesus’ company, said: “Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us” (Jn 14:8), to which Jesus replied: “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?” (Jn 14:9); Peter, in addition to denying Jesus three times, was once even called “Satan” (cf. Mt 16:23).
Trust in the Promise
So what did they do to receive such favours? Nothing—because they didn’t need to. The Precious Blood of Christ had already purchased everything. All that remained was to trust and persevere until the fulfillment of the promise made by the Redeemer:
“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you always” (Jn 14:16).
This may seem simple, but it’s not so easy in practice…
When someone promises us something, our hope that it will come true often relies on our trust in the person making the promise. But when that person is no longer physically present, that trust becomes harder. This was the case with the Apostles: after the Ascension, they no longer had the physical presence of Our Lord. Yet the eleven remained steadfast and witnessed the promise fulfilled.
The Strength of Unity
What helped them persevere? The liturgy gives us a clue:
“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place” (Acts 2:1).
They stayed united. Undoubtedly, unity was essential to their perseverance—they supported each other. If each had gone their own way, selfishly, it would have been much easier to doubt the Master’s words.
Those Who Stay Close to Her Do Not Falter
But unity alone wasn’t enough—it had to be centred around Our Lady. Those who stay close to her partake in her graces and fidelity. That’s why tradition tells us the Holy Spirit descended first upon Mary, and from Mary, to the Twelve.
This is the lesson today’s liturgy offers: only those united around Our Lady will receive the graces necessary to persevere amid the world’s hardships until the promises of Jesus and Mary are fulfilled.
By Artur Moraes
[1] Cf. CORRÊA DE OLIVEIRA, Plinio. Conference, June 6, 1986. Private archive.
Compiled by Gustavo Kralj
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