This week's first reading is an account of the Holy Spirit coming upon the apostles and empowering them to preach with confidence. One of the interesting things is the parallel between how the Spirit came down in fire, loud sound, and personal revelation to the apostles on that Pentecost day and how Moses received the Law on Mount Sinai, where similar things happened. But the most important aspect of this reading is not the extraordinary phenomena of fire, wind, and the gift of tongues. Rather, the crucial point is the transformation that took place in the lives of the apostles, who changed from timid souls cowering in a locked room to fearless witnesses of what Jesus accomplished through his death and resurrection. These same changes occur today in all who receive the Holy Spirit. It is in this sense that Pentecost still happens, as those who live according to God's Spirit experience the same life-transforming power of God that changed the apostles two thousand years ago. The second reading this week ties the coming of the Holy Spirit to Baptism. Not only does everyone receive "the manifestation of the Spirit for some benefit," but all are baptized into one body, where all "drink of one Spirit." In like manner, the Gospel links the Holy Spirit with the forgiveness of sins-the sins wiped away at Baptism and the forgiveness of sins committed after Baptism. The Holy Spirit does not come only once to us but continues to dwell within our souls and transform us

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