May 31, 2020
Pentecost
Question: When do the disciples receive the Holy Spirit? Answer: On Pentecost. “Yes” and other times too! “Spirit” in the Bible means “breath” or “wind” – “a mighty wind swept over the waters” in the Creation Story, Book of Genesis. “Spirit” is the life breath of God. The readings today tell of the “comings” of the Holy Spirit, at critical moments, in the life of the Church.
In our Gospel according to St. John, the disciples are gathered together behind lock doors. It is the evening of the first day of the week – Easter Sunday. Jesus stands in their midst greeting them: “Peace be with you.” It calms their fear. They recognize the Risen Lord when Jesus shows them his wounds. They rejoice. Jesus breaths on them: “Receive the Holy Spirit” and bids them to forgive. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
In St. Luke’s Acts of the Apostles, “the apostles, some women, and Mary, the mother of Jesus and his brothers” are in the Upper Room in Jerusalem devoted in prayer. Suddenly, they hear a noise like a driving wind and they see what appears to be tongues of fire. The disciples are filled with the Holy Spirit empowering them to profess their faith and to communicate with fellow Jews from different nations speaking different languages. They all understand.
St. Paul writes to the Church at Corinth. He reminds the assembly that they can only profess: “Jesus is Lord” by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is manifest in the gifts activated in the community for teaching, organizing, caring, sharing, forgiving and serving. Gifts of the Holy Spirit are given for the common good and to heal divisions.
These readings speak to us today during the pandemic. Like the disciples in the Gospel, the Holy Spirit is given to us at this time to calm our fears, to recognize Jesus present in the afflicted and those who care, and to embark upon a ministry of reconciliation. Like the disciples in Acts, the Holy Spirit is bestowed to enhance our communication of sharing the Good News at a time when our discourse tends to be depressing and divisive. Like the Corinthians, we receive the Holy Spirit to confess “Jesus is Lord” and to use our abilities and resources for the common good and for healing.
One of the gifts or charisms we need at this time is memory -- remembering those who have come before us facing similar challenges. My grandnephew Andrew’s 5th Grade Class in Clarence did a fantastic online presentation on “Immigration” for Social Studies. Researching their own ancestry, every child dressed as an immigrant coming to America with background music: “America” by Neil Diamond and a second song with these lyrics: “Some folks come from yesterday; some folks come from far away; but whether yesterday or far away we are in the same boat now.” Boys and girls in the 5th Grade, their parents, families and a great Uncle, seeing and recognizing familiar faces and listening to the music, gained a deeper appreciation of the sacrifice and contribution of our ancestors. We need to remember that we are not islands unto ourselves and we owe a debt of gratitude to those who have come before us. They still inspire and show us the way.
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7th Sunday of Easter
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Most Holy Trinity
