Thoughts from the Second Floor Front Pentecost Sunday
May 28, 2023
On those hot summer days when the oppressive heat of the region bears down on us, we learn to appreciate the breeze that will occasionally come through offering an opportunity for a unique form of refreshment. When that breeze strikes us, gently cooling us even for a brief time, there is a sense of renewal and energy that we recognize as part of the relief delivered through that soft waft of air.
In both Genesis and the Acts the presence and power of God is described in similar terms. In the Hebrew of Genesis the sacred writer offers us the creation story: In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth – and the earth was without form or shape, with darkness over the abyss and a mighty wind sweeping over the waters – ... In Hebrew the word the author uses is Ruah, which can mean wind, breath or Spirit. In the Acts we read: And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. The word St. Luke uses for wind is Pnuema, from which we get our English words pneumonia and pneumatic – meaning a disease affecting our breathing and something inflated with air, respectively. The word Pneuma, can also be translated as wind, breath or Spirit.
Today we celebrate the feast of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit “like a strong driving wind...” settled on the companions of Jesus and empowered them to begin preaching the gospel with courage and great success. Notice as well that St. Luke tells the reader that the event happened suddenly. Without warning the Spirit enlivened that small band of believers so as to produce bold statements of faith. Does the Spirit of God still act in that manner?
What did the Spirit achieve that day? The disciples were huddled together in fear and trembling, hiding in a sort of holy fear. In rushing through the house like a strong driving wind, the spirit emboldened those in the upper room to leave their fear behind and go out and preach the kerygma, the original Message. Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
We have received the Divine Pnuema, the Spirit of God; at our Baptism, our Confirmation and again every time we encounter God in the celebration of Mass. Throughout the Acts of the Apostles, the early Church is able to do great things with the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit. The great prayer to the Holy Spirit is something that ought to be a regular part of our spiritual exercises. When I was teaching, before every test or examination, I lead the students in offering that prayer.
Come Holy Spirit Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and enkindle in us the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and we shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth. Amen.
At the beginning of the Second Vatican Council, our Holy Father, St. John XXIII, used a word to describe what he wanted to achieve through this most significant of gatherings of the Bishops of our Church. Some historians hold that he was not the first to use the word but he is credited with applying to the renewal in the Church. Aggiornomento – an updating, a renewal, a refreshment. However the word is translated means that the Spirit of God, always present within the Church and her members, brings us closer and closer to the Father through the Son as members of the Church. The Holy Spirit lead the Church through the renewal of Vatican II and continues to lead us. May The Advocate, The Counselor, The Comforter continue to be the source of our wisdom, knowledge and love of God. May the Divine Spirit embolden us to preach the message. Not from the formality of the pulpit but by our speech and actions so that through us other will come to know The Word, Jesus spoke to us by the Father. Faithfully, Msgr. Diamond