PENTECOST SUNDAY
19 MAY 2024
The
Jewish Feast of Pentecost is the fiftieth day after Passover. In the first century, Jews would arrive on
pilgrimage to Jerusalem from throughout the known world. Like Catholics visiting the Vatican today,
they spoke different languages. But
together, they celebrated the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. They recalled that incredible event when a
mighty wind shook the mountain. Flashes
of lightning revealed God’s presence. In
giving the law, Moses gave them the language to speak of their relationship
with God and with each another. At Mount
Sinai they became aware that they were God’s chosen people. God had freed them from slavery in Egypt and
led them through the Red Sea. God fed
them with manna in the desert and would lead them to the Promised Land. By observing Pentecost, faithful Jews
celebrated the Covenant given to them by God and renewed their commitment to
it.
In the Acts
of the Apostles, Saint Luke tells us that the disciples are in one place
together on the Feast of Pentecost. That
is in marked contrast to what happened to them after the Last Supper. They had been scattered like rats when Jesus
was betrayed and arrested. On the
birthday of the Church, all Christians are in one place, an impossibility today
with billions of Christians. Suddenly,
there is a strong wind, much like the mighty wind which shook Mount Sinai. Tongues as of fire appear to them. They are driven out of the safety of that
room to begin their mission of proclaiming the truth about Jesus Christ. Jews from every nation and every language
understand what they are saying. They
have received the Advocate promised by Jesus at the Last Supper. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, they will speak
the language of the Paschal Mystery fearlessly, putting them at odds with the
languages of their contemporary culture.
That same
Holy Spirit is given to us, individually, and as a Church. The Holy Spirit enables us to speak the truth
about the Paschal Mystery. For the last
ninety days, we have reflected on how to behave as disciples of Jesus
Christ. Lent taught us that we must
share in the sufferings, cross, and death of Jesus Christ. The Easter Season has reminded us that our
efforts to die with Christ will not be the end.
We will share in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We too can speak the language of love in a
world filled with hate, division, war, and revenge.
There is a
very popular book called The Five Love
Languages. It explains that saying
“I love you” is not the only way to express authentic love. The best communication happens when the
recipient is fluent in one of the five languages. That is the work of the Holy Spirit. When we were on pilgrimage to the Holy Land a
couple of years ago, we visited the Church of Saint Anne’s near the pool of
Bethesda in Jerusalem. That church has
perfect natural acoustics. Our group
began singing the “Salve Regina.” Even
with our limited choral abilities, we sounded great. Then other groups began to join in, with each
group singing in their own language. The
singing united everyone in that church through languages and cultures. It was a miniature version of Pentecost.
Saint Paul
reminds us that we need to live by the Spirit.
If we live by the Spirit, we can speak the language of love, even to
those with whom we disagree on political or cultural matters. If we are guided by the Spirit, then we can
produce the fruits of the Spirit: love,
joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and
self-control. The Spirit can guide us as
members of the Body of Christ to produce these fruits in a culture which badly
needs them.
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