After Jesus rose from the dead and revealed himself to his followers, the disciples came to believe. But they were still afraid. We see them hiding behind locked doors, afraid that they too might be arrested and killed, as the Lord had been. But after Pentecost, we see them out in public, preaching at the Temple, willing to risk arrest and execution in order to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. Indeed, eleven out of the twelves apostles were martyred for their faith. What made the difference in their disposition?
The difference was the Holy Spirit. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the disciples. Before receiving the Holy Spirit, the disciples could do nothing. But once they were filled with the Holy Spirit, they were ready to go forth and undertake the work Christ had entrusted to them. The Holy Spirit is the animating principle that makes the Church live and thrive in the world. That is why we consider Pentecost, the day on which the Holy Spirit was given to us, the birthday of the Church.
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