Today is the Blessed feast of Pentecost, when the Spirit came upon the Disciples. The Feast falls on the 50th and final day of Eastertide. The word itself, Pentecost, comes from the Greek word ‘fiftieth’.
The Feast has been celebrated in one way or another since the Old Testament, being called the Feast of Harvest or the Feast of Weeks in the Jewish tradition.
Following the death and Resurrection of Jesus, and his Ascension into heaven, present in the Upper room were the Disciples with Mary the mother of Jesus. The descent of the Spirit, which looked like tongues of fire and sounded like strong winds, saw the beginning of the Church. Disciples went from that room, previously as people of fear and seclusion, then as a people of joy and community.
This, for us, is where we draw our inspiration as Christians. We are called every day to leave our own upper room, to discard the sanctuary of our personal social bubble, and go out to proclaim the good news. The invasion of the Spirit in the Church is a wonderful and mystical moment. It is little surprise that, for us, it superceded the Feast of Harvest, still celebrated in the Jewish tradition, in which thanks we’re wrought for harvest, for abundance, for fertility. We, as children of God, are wonderful, and we are mystical, too. We are very much part of the Pentecost story.
Peter is the Disciple who becomes part of the early Church’s inner circle. Almost a comedic character, constantly having to be corrected by Jesus, putting his foot in it, through grace he soon becomes a spokesman for the Church. Pentecost is the beginning of this marker, the time when such grace was bestowed on the Apostles that thousands come to see what is happening. Thousands become followers of Jesus.
From there, it spread, and it reaches us.
Where, then, are we in the story of Pentecost? Maybe today, we can reflect on today’s great Feast, and consider ourselves as Peter, as protectors and ambassadors of the Gospel. How and when do we go out into the world to preach the good news? Do we hide away perhaps a little too much? What is our plea to the Spirit? Where are our daily thanks to the Holy Spirit for the graves bestowed on us? Let us renew our dedication to God today, and in joy celebrate as the children of God, as children of the Spirit.
Come, Creator Spirit. Kindle in us the fire of your love!
GOSPEL
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 15:26-27 & 16:12-15
Jesus said to his disciples
‘When the Advocate comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father,
the Spirit of truth who issues from the Father,
he will be my witness. And you too will be witnesses,
because you have been with me from the outset.
I still have many things to say to you but they would be too much for you now.
But when the Spirit of truth comes he will lead you to the complete truth,
since he will not be speaking as from himself but will say only what he has learnt;
and he will tell you of the things to come.
He will glorify me, since all he tells you will be taken from what is mine.
Everything the Father has is mine; that is why I said: All he tells you will be taken from what is mine’
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.