May 24, 2015
Pentecost
I can see parents coming into church and setting an example for their little children as they make the sign of the cross. It is a symbolic action that calls to mind the death of Jesus on the cross and the Blessed Trinity as we say “In the name of the Father and of Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.†When I was a little boy we said: “Holy Ghost.†“Ghost†refers to the spirit of a dead person haunting the living. But “Spirit†conveys a different meaning. When we trace it back to the Latin to the Greek to the Hebrew we discover the original sense of the word i.e. wind or breath of God. In the Book of Genesis 1:1-2: “In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth…a mighty wind swept over the water.†Today is the feast of Pentecost that commemorates the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples and the birthing of the Church. As the Spirit hovered over the waters at creation so the Holy Spirit hovers over the disciples gathered in prayer. They hear a strong driving wind, they see flames of fire, they speak in tongues and Peter preaches to an assemble crowd astonished at this charismatic display. This is not an isolated event. We pray for the Holy Spirit during sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. Gathered here on Pentecost we pray for Holy Spirit to activate gifts (honesty, courage, empathy) needed within our community to continue the ministry of Jesus Christ. “Come Holy Ghost. Fill the hearts of the faithful. Enkindle in them the fire of your love.â€
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7th Sunday of Easter
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Blessed Trinity
