Pentecost

The Feast of Pentecost is our feast since our community is named for the Holy Spirit.  This gives us an opportunity to think about who we are and how we make present the Holy Spirit in our neighborhood and in Schaumburg as a whole.  I see some implications for the Acts 2:1-11 reading.

First of all, the disciples are gathered in one place and a “strong driving wind” filled the entire house.  That strong driving wind drives the disciples out of their locked room into a world that is hostile to them while at the same time the world needs them and their message of peace.  We pray that the strong driving wind will push us out of our complacency, our comfort zones so that we can experience the new realities that the Holy Spirit is giving to us.  That is not so easy.  Many would rather remain in the shallow end of the pool where it is safe.  That is the worst, most unlikely place for the Christian.  We should be doing new things and thinking new thoughts.  The Spirit gives us creativity and new challenges.

Second, there are tongues of fire that indicate the arrival of the Holy Spirit.  That fire is reminiscent of the pillar of fire that leads the Israelites through the desert to a land flowing with milk and honey.  It is the fire of the sacrifice of Abraham that forges a new covenant relationship with the people of Israel.  The left-overs of the Passover Lamb are burned to show complete sacrifice to God.  Think of the burning bush and the furnace of Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego – signs of liberation by God’s grace and power.  The fire is liberation and punishment (Gehenna, Sodom and Gomorrah) at the same time.  We pray that the fire of the Holy Spirit will purify us so that we can be faithful disciples.  Where is God’s fire leading Holy Spirit in the years to come?

Finally, there is language.  The people should be confused by the diversity of the people who are present in Jerusalem.  By God’s grace, each hears the word of God in his or her own language.  We at Holy Spirit celebrate Mass in different languages because that is the Spirit’s call to us.  Some see this as a problem or an obstacle.  Diversity in language and custom is not easy but it should not cause any true Christian to run.  In our modern times, we are called to embrace the different languages and cultures here as a gift, which calls for humility, compassion, and patience on our part.  Let’s pray for those gifts.

I invite your comments.