Pentecost

When 50 days have passed since Easter, the Lectionary of the Roman Catholic Church presents the Scripture texts chosen for the feast of Pentecost. These texts follow themes of The Coming of the Holy Spirit, God the Creator and Provider, One Body with Many Members and Jesus Appears to the Disciples. As we investigate these texts and attempt to experience their power we find the Holy Spirit which unites the apostles and empowers them to praise is the Spirit of Creation which Genesis identifies as moving over the waters and which the psalmist proclaims is the breath of life for all creatures. Paul addresses the Corinthians with the insight of the Spirit and presents the truth that knowing Jesus and being witness to Him is an act of the Spirit through our being which is the Body of Christ. The action of the Spirit from the Gospel of John involves peace, breath and retention of sin. The appearance of Jesus after His death is most certainly a mystic, marvellous and disconcerting event. The Spirit of creation which moved over the waters is breathed to move over the assembly and bring peace. The creation and maintenance of life is in this Breath. The issue of being trapped in sin is invoked. The need to be forgiven and the need to forgive are tied together. The One Body united by the Spirit of Life and Truth moves toward deep intimacy with the Divine through forgiveness and forgiving. We may recall today the “Seven gifts of the Holy Spirit”. Fr Larry Gillick SJ represents these gifts, catalogued by Thomas Aquinas, in an “in-spiring” manner.