We need the Holy Spirit to convict the hearts of people

As Catholics worldwide prepared to celebrate the Solemnity of Pentecost last weekend, Fr Raymond Francis, Parish Priest in the Cluster of Toco/Matelot, reflected on the profound significance of this holy day and its enduring message for the modern Church.

In a recent interview on Altos, Fr Francis explored the meaning of Pentecost as the “birthday of the Catholic Church” and emphasised the continuing role of the Holy Spirit in contemporary evangelisation.

Fr Francis explained that Pentecost marks the pivotal moment when the early Church was born through divine intervention. “As far as we are aware and we believe that it was then that the Church was born at the Feast of Pentecost,” he noted, describing how Jesus instructed His disciples at the Ascension to “Go back and wait in Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high.”

The significance of this waiting period cannot be understated. The disciples were being entrusted with continuing Christ’s work, but Jesus made it clear that human strength alone would be insufficient.

“This is not a work you could do on your own strength. You could depend on your own wisdom. You needed to be clothed with the power of the Holy Spirit,” Fr Francis said, highlighting the divine assistance required for such an extraordinary mission.

The scene in the Upper Room represents a moment of profound preparation and anticipation. Fr Francis described how “the disciples gathered with the Blessed Mother in the Upper Room, and there they were, as it were in vigil, praying, waiting, interceding.”

This period of prayer and waiting culminated in the dramatic descent of the Holy Spirit, manifesting as “tongues of fire” that “separated and rested on each one of them.”

What makes Pentecost particularly remarkable is its universal character. Fr Francis pointed out that the miracle extended beyond the disciples themselves to the diverse crowd gathered in Jerusalem. “There were many people gathered in Jerusalem from different continents, each speaking different language. But because of the spirit of God that was at work in the disciples, that they could each hear the word of God being proclaimed to them in their own language.”

This linguistic miracle represented more than a supernatural phenomenon—it symbolised the Church’s universal mission. Fr Francis identified this as “the beginning of evangelisation,” where people from different cultures and backgrounds could hear God’s Word in their own languages.

“Paul and Peter would remind the people that first when Jesus came, He came to the Jewish people. But now God is making it clear that salvation is for all peoples.”

Speaking from his experience ministering to the expansive parish of Toco-Matelot—which spans “from Rampanalgas to Matelot” with distances of “about an hour from Mission to St Francis (RC Church) in Sangre Grande, and another hour from Mission to Matelot”—Fr Francis understands the practical challenges of modern pastoral work. Operating alone in such a vast territory, he admits his absolute dependence on divine assistance: “The Holy Spirit always. Other than that, I’ll be crushing every day.”

This personal testimony led to a broader critique of contemporary Christianity. Fr Francis suggested that the Church often fails to fully rely on the Holy Spirit’s power, instead depending too heavily on human wisdom and experience. He cited St Paul’s warning: “Don’t be so foolish to try to accomplish in the realm of the flesh what was begun in the power of the Holy Spirit.”

“We depend so much on our own experience, on our own wisdom, on our own knowledge. And we think that is enough to bring this message to people, to bring people to a place of conversion,” Fr Francis observed. He emphasised that genuine conversion requires divine intervention: “It is only the spirit of God that can convict the hearts of people. We could preach from now till doomsday. We could try to love from now until doomsday. Unless the spirit of God convicts the hearts of people, people would not turn towards God.”

Gifts of the Spirit

Addressing common misconceptions about spiritual gifts, particularly the gift of tongues, Fr Francis provided clarification rooted in Catholic teaching. He reminded believers that “at Baptism, the Holy Spirit came to live in us. All of us, as baptised Christians, the spirit of God dwells in us.” The Spirit is both “the giver of the gift, and he is the gift himself,” meaning that all necessary gifts and graces are available to believers.

Importantly, Fr Francis explained that “the spirit builds on our nature” and meets people where they are. “It’s not necessary that everybody pray in tongues,” he noted, citing examples of powerful preachers who don’t speak in tongues but clearly operate under the Spirit’s influence because “the Word is connecting with our hearts.”

As the Church celebrated Pentecost, Fr Francis’ insights remind us that this feast day represents far more than a historical commemoration. It calls modern Christians to embrace their dependence on the Holy Spirit for effective ministry and authentic evangelisation.

The same Spirit that empowered the first disciples continues to work today, meeting believers where they are and empowering them for service in God’s kingdom.

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