Pentecost Sunday

50 days after Easter Sunday, Christian churches celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles, who alight upon them in the form of "tongues of fire," which is why, for example, the Roman Rite celebrates the day as the "birthday" of the Church. Thus, according to the tradition of the New Testament writings, the announcement of Jesus from the Gospel of John is fulfilled, that he will send a "helper" after his ascension. While the 40 days from Easter Sunday to Ascension Day were therefore focused on the risen Lord, Pentecost not only concludes the 50-day Easter season but also transitions into the commemoration of the work of the Holy Spirit in the Church as well as in all of creation.

From a historical-religious perspective, the Roman Rite, through the narrative that the apostles gathered in Jerusalem could suddenly speak all the languages of the known world after the Spirit of God descended upon them, sets itself in contrast to the narrative of the Tower of Babel, where God scattered the one language known to humans into various languages to prevent them from building a tower that would reach the heavens.

It seems likely that the Christian festival has reinterpreted the Jewish festival of Shavuot, with which the members of biblical Israel commemorated the revelation of the Torah 50 days after Passover, giving it a new meaning: namely, the sending of the Holy Spirit, who, according to Christian understanding, works in all people—regardless of their religious affiliation—and enables them to recognize God and align their lives with the Creator.