Father Randy Koenigsknecht
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What does it mean to truly live in the power of the Holy Spirit? In this Pentecost reflection, we explore how the Holy Spirit moved through Jesus, empowered the apostles, and continues to work through ordinary believers today. Through Scripture, personal testimony, and the life of the Church, we are invited to stir up the gifts received in Baptism and Confirmation, to experience God’s transforming love, and to become courageous witnesses of Christ in the world. Discover how the Holy Spirit brings healing, renewal, peace, and new life—and why Pentecost is not just a past event, but an invitation for every Christian today.
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Pentecost: Stirring Up the Gift of the Holy Spirit
Ever since Easter, the Church has been building toward today: Pentecost. Throughout the Easter season, every reading has pointed toward the Holy Spirit, preparing us for the fulfillment of what Christ began through His Resurrection—the gift of new life through the Holy Spirit.
A central question comes to mind:
Do you long for something more?
Do you want something more for yourself?
There is a progression in the Easter readings:
- First, we see Jesus, who lived and worked in the power of the Holy Spirit.
- Then we see the apostles, empowered by the same Spirit.
- Finally, we come to ourselves—ordinary people called to live by the Holy Spirit.
On Easter Sunday, Peter proclaimed how Jesus performed signs and wonders through the Holy Spirit. Though Jesus is God, He chose to work through the Spirit in His humanity—the same Spirit He gives to His Church.
Then on Divine Mercy Sunday, the focus shifted from Jesus to the apostles. Jesus breathed on them and said:
“Receive the Holy Spirit.”
Soon afterward, signs and wonders were performed through the apostles. The same Spirit that empowered Jesus now empowered His followers.
Peter later proclaimed:
“Jesus received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father and poured Him forth.”
People could see and hear the power of God at work in the apostles. They became true Christians—little Christs—living and acting as Jesus did.
The same should be true of us.
Others should be able to look at Christians and recognize:
“That person is different.”
Not because all Christians have identical gifts, but because the Spirit manifests uniquely in each person. Through healing, reconciliation, service, forgiveness, and love, Christians reveal that the Gospel is true.
Peter later answered those asking:
“What must we do?”
His response:
“Repent and be baptized, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
The Holy Spirit is not reserved for a select few. The gift is offered to everyone.
Through Baptism—and further through Confirmation—the Holy Spirit is given. Yet for many, that gift remains dormant.
Many of us were never taught to expect the Holy Spirit to move powerfully in our lives. We learned to expect little, and often experienced little.
The gift may already be there.
It simply needs to be stirred up.
Jesus promises:
“Whoever believes in me will do the works that I do and will do greater ones than these.”
God desires to work through His people—not only in ordinary acts of holiness but sometimes in extraordinary ways: healing, restoring relationships, bringing peace, and revealing His love.
The Acts of the Apostles are filled with stories of healing:
“Rise and walk.”
“Be healed in Jesus’ name.”
God still desires to work in power.
The Spirit also transforms us inwardly. Jesus promised:
“I will not leave you orphans.”
The Holy Spirit teaches us not merely to know God intellectually but to experience Him as Father—to know His love deeply and personally.
The Spirit brings:
- Peace
- Joy
- Confidence
- New life
- Assurance of God’s love
Then, empowered by the Spirit, believers become witnesses:
“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses.”
Witnessing means sharing what Christ has done in our lives.
Why speak about Jesus?
Because having discovered joy, peace, and true life in Him, how could we keep that treasure hidden?
One Church Father wrote that when the Holy Spirit comes:
Those absorbed by worldly things become otherworldly in outlook, and cowards become people of great courage.
The Spirit changes everything.
One image helps explain this:
The Holy Spirit in many lives is like chocolate syrup poured into milk but never stirred. It settles to the bottom.
The gift is present.
But when stirred, it transforms everything.
Some experience dramatic changes.
One teacher, after prayer for the Holy Spirit, described feeling:
“A protective light and warmth surrounding me. I felt everything would be okay… For the first time, I truly experienced His love.”
Others experience quieter transformations over time:
- Prayer becomes alive
- Faith deepens
- Love becomes easier
- The Eucharist becomes more real
The Holy Spirit moves knowledge from the mind to the heart.
If you desire that transformation:
Ask.
Ask with expectant faith.
Reach out for prayer.
Invite the Holy Spirit to stir up what has already been given.
Because this is what makes disciples joyful.
This is what makes faith alive.
And so we pray:
Heavenly Father, send down Your Holy Spirit upon us. Break down barriers and doubts. Renew us. Transform us. Bring us new life. Work within us.
Come, Holy Spirit.
Come, Holy Spirit.