12 June 2011: Pentecost Sunday

Ten days after his Ascension, the fiftieth day after Easter (‘Pentecostes’), Jesus fulfilled the promise he had so often made of sending to his Apostles his Holy Spirit. “... they were altogether in one place: and suddenly there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the whole house ... And appeared to them parted tongues as of fire, rested on each one of them. ... they were filled with the Holy Spirit, ... began to speak in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them ability.” (cf Acts 2:1-4)

These few simple words record the great and mysterious event which substituted this Christian feast for the Jewish one. The Apostles were instantly changed from carnal and ignorant men into spiritual and eloquent, eminent in wisdom and holiness; gifted with an invincible zeal and courage fully prepared for their great commission to evangelize and change the whole face of the earth.

By commemorating this great event, we seek to renew it within ourselves. Thus the feast of Pentecost is unique. Other feasts are in gratitude for past mercies. This mystery will be renewed in the souls of the faithful til the world ends. We may ask, as Jesus Christ promised, and confidently expect as the Apostles did, the descent of the Holy Spirit upon ourselves and his gifts.

Another event in today’s celebration is proclamation of the Gospel. From Jerusalem when three-thousand Jews were converted and baptised, it spread rapidly over all the known world through inspired preaching of the Apostles. Even during their lifetime was fulfilled the prophecy: “Thou shalt renew the face of the earth”; and “I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh.” (cf Ps 104:30)

By continuous succession of Sovereign Pontiffs, Bishops and priests; successors of St Peter, of the Apostles and of the seventy-two disciples, the Gospel has reached us. Let us give thanks to Almighty God for this great blessing; renew our apostolic zeal and examine how by our words, example, prayers, works of penance ie, by all means within our power, we help extend the kingdom of God among souls.

The nations who were converted by the preaching of the Apostles, so diverse in disposition and character, formed a family with the same faith, laws, Sacraments; and the same Head. This great worldwide family is the Church of Jesus Christ: one, holy, apostolic, catholic.

For two-thousand years the ‘gates of hell’ have fought it; but have not prevailed, and never shall prevail. We celebrate today the memory of its establishment, the third object of the great solemnity of Pentecost.

Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp292-4

The coming of the Holy Spirit

Pentecost was one of three great Jewish feasts for which many Israelites go to Jerusalem to adore God in the Temple. This very ancient feast is to thank God for the coming harvest. Another motive, to recall God’s promulgation of the law on Mount Sinai, was later added and celebrated fifty days after the Pasch.

So the material harvest the Jews joyfully celebrated became a feast of immense rejoicing in the New Dispensation: the coming of the Holy Spirit with all his gifts and fruits.

The Holy Spirit shows himself in those elements which usually accompanied the presence of God in the Old Testament: wind and fire. (cf Ex 3:2) Fire appears in Sacred Scripture as love which penetrates all things and as a purifying element. (cf MD Philippe, “The Mystery of Mary”, Madrid) These are images which help us to better understand the action of the Holy Spirit in souls. Lord, with the fire of the Holy Spirit, purify our inmost being and our heart.

Fire also produces light and signifies the new brightness the Holy Spirit sheds on the doctrine of Jesus: “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth ... He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” (cf Jn 16:13-4) Jesus had forewarned his disciples: “The Counsellor, the Holy Spirit will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all I have said to you.” (cf Jn 14:26)

It is the Holy Spirit who leads us to a full understanding of the truth taught by Christ, who “completed and perfected Revelation and confirmed it by divine guarantees ... finally by sending the Spirit of truth”. (Second Vatican Council, “Dei Verbum”, 4)

In the Old Testament the action of the Holy Spirit is often intimated by the word ‘breath’. This expresses both the gentleness and strength of divine love. Nothing is subtler than the wind which manages to penetrate everywhere. The rushing wind on the day of Pentecost expresses the new force with which divine love invades the Church and souls.

Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:591-2

Purity is Life According to the Spirit

St Paul indicates the mystery of the redemption of the body accomplished by Christ as the source of a particular moral duty, the need to guard the body “in sanctity and honor” (1 Thes 4:4). Maintaining one’s own body in “sanctity and honor” means ‘forming it through abstention from immodesty’, the indispensable way.

However, it always bears fruit in the deepest experience of that love which was written “in the beginning” according to the image and likeness of God himself, in every human being, hence also in our bodies. St Paul therefore exhorts us, “Glorify in your body” (1 Cor 6:20).

Purity is the virtue, a capacity to “keep one’s body in sanctity and honor”. It is allied with the gift of piety, as fruit of the dwelling of the Holy Spirit in the “temple” of the body. It actuates such a fulness of dignity in the body in interpersonal relations, that God himself is glorified.

Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, pp264-5

Our Lady -- Devotion to Our Lady in Christian souls awakens the supernatural stimulus we need in order to act like ‘domestici Dei’, as members of God’s family. (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Forge”, 587)

• Apparition of Our Lady to St. Herman, France (13th Century). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
• Our Lady appeared to St Herman and gave a ringlet of Her hair. (www.starharbor.com/santiago/m feasts.html)