27 May 2012: Solemnity -- 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 ` ` ` MAY DEVOTIONS ` ` ` Mary is the ‘Mother of Fair Love’ “This is what explains Mary’s life -- her love. A complete love, so complete that she forgets herself and is happy just to be there where God wants her, fulfilling with care what God wants her to do. That is why even her slightest action is never routine or vain but, rather, full of meaning. Mary, our mother, is for us both an example and a way. We have to try to be like her, in the ordinary circumstances in which God wants us to live.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 148) Let us offer our Mother: “The ‘Hail, Mary’ said three times before going to sleep every night and each time with more attention and affection.” Ref: Fr Charles Belmonte and Fr James Socias (Eds), “Handbook of Prayers”, 1988, p313 Mary’s most beautiful prayers After the ‘Our Father’, the most known and recited prayers in the Church are the ones dedicated to Mary: “HAIL, MARY” -- The most beautiful of all prayers directed to the Mother of God. It has two parts. The first can be called praise, the words of the Archangel Gabriel, and Elizabeth’s words during Mary’s visit. The other contains a ‘petition’, composed by the Church. ... filled with great mysteries; brief but powerful. More precious than gold; sweeter than honey: worthy of being always murmured on one’s heart, frequently repeated with the lips. (Thomas à Kempis, ‘Imitation of Christ’) “HAIL, HOLY QUEEN” -- A prayer attributed to St Bernard. The pervading thought of the entire prayer is that Mary was made Queen so she might place all her power at our service. ‘Mary’, says St Alphonsus Liguori, ‘is all eyes to discover our infirmities and help us’. “MEMORARE” -- A popular, brief and very sweet prayer; full of hope in the powerful intercession of Mary. Attributed to St Bernard of Clairvaux (author) and popularized by a French priest, Claude Bernard [“Our Sunday Visitor’s Catholic Encyclopedia”, 1991, pp636-7]. “THE MAGNIFICAT” -- Mary’s thanksgiving and praise for the mighty act that God had wrought in her. Other well-known prayers in honor of Mary are “THE ANGELUS” and “THE LITANIES OF LORETO”. Ref: Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, 1984, p38 · “The ‘Hail, Mary’ is the hammer which crushes the devil and is the joy of the angels, the melody of the predestined, the canticle of the new Testament.” -- St Louis Mary Grignon de Montfort (In Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, 1984, p38) • Dedication of Our Lady of Naples, called St Mary Major by Pope John II in the year 533. A picture of the Blessed Virgin, painted by St Luke, was carefully preserved in this church. — Scliraderus, lib. ii. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady of Naples (Italy, 533) (www.divinewill.org/feastofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); 24 - O Lady Help of Christians (Australia, 1844). (http://mariedenazareth.com) • Our Lady of Naples (France). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html) • “Madonna della Naples”. Italy. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)