The two holiest times of the Christian year — Christmas and Easter — are routinely ruined by the profit-makers.

Yet the next most holy day, Pentecost (this year Sunday May 23), they ignore.

Perhaps Mothers’ Day, also in May, is a better present-flogging opportunity, so Pentecost isn’t needed.

No signs in shops, nothing in the media . . . .

* * *

The Church, however, makes a very big deal of Pentecost.

Jesus instructed his disciples in advance about the coming of the Holy Ghost (the Paraclete) at Pentecost.

Today’s gospel reading at Mass:

Jesus said to his disciples, “Now I am going to the One who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’

Because I have spoken these things, sorrow has filled your hearts. But it is expedient for you that I go. If I do not go, the Paraclete will not come. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes he will convict the world of sin, of justice and of judgement:

Of sin, because they do not believe in me;

Of justice, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me;

Of judgement, because the ruler of this world has already been judged.

I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.  When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will teach you all truth. He will not speak on his own behalf, but he will speak what he hears, and declare to you the things that are coming.

He shall glorify me, because he will receive what is mine and declare it to you.”

(John’s gospel, chapter 16)

* * *

Pentecost: the day the Holy Ghost descended upon the apostles — the day the Catholic Church launched its mission of evangelising the world.

Suddenly they came out from hiding and went onto the front foot — challenging the world with the Gospel, defying the risks . . . .

Persecutions soon followed — and, within weeks, the first execution.

Believers today have the same mission: by the power of God’s Spirit to live the Gospel – and to cheerfully accept the consequences.