Pentecost Sunday June 05, 2022
Acts 2:1-11; Romans 8:8-17; John 14, 15-16; 23b-26 (John 20, 19-23)
The Little Prince on his journey into the world reached the earth. As he went he found merchant selling pills and many were coming to him to purchase those bills. The Little Prince was curious and went to him and asked him what these pills were. He replied that these were the thirst pills. What is their purpose, asked the Prince. The Merchant told him that they were extremely good and scientifically produced. If one swallows a pill then for the entire day he need not drink any water. He added that calculations have been made that for a week one can save 27 minutes of his time. What he was to do with the 27 minutes asked the Prince. The merchant said he could do anything and work or do any reading. The Little Prince replied and said: “If I had those 27 minutes, I will walk to the freshwater spring and drink water from the fountain.”
Are we trying to save time in needless efforts? Let us go the real freshwater spring and drink from that fountain – Holy Spirit.
For several days now, we have been listening to Jesus’ farewell speeches. He promised the disciples that he would not leave them alone. He would send paraclete, a helper who would enable them to be his witnesses. That promise comes to a reality today. The disciples did receive the gift of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Day. The arrival of the Holy Spirit came with a sound like the rush of a violent wind. So powerful was the sound that it was also heard by devout Jews from every nation under heaven who were living in Jerusalem. It is interesting to note here that not everybody heard the sound, only the "devout" Jews. The non-believers and those who are indifferent to their living faith are not receptive to the grace of God and the manifested power of the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit arrived, divided tongues, as of fire, rested on each of the disciples. This is the Biblical sign of the divine presence. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in other languages as the Spirit gave them the ability. As such, the manifestation of the power of the Holy Spirit is not only working through those who speak in tongues but only through those who hear, each hearing in his own language.
The Gospel of John tells us: "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." Here we have the mission of Jesus: He greets the disciples with the traditional salutation and then asks them to continue his work. He breathes on them and gives them the Spirit and confers on them the power to forgive the sins of people. He tells them: "As the Father sent me, so am I sending you." The baton is being passed. They have a job to do and it is exactly what Jesus himself came to do - to establish the Kingdom on earth.
What does the Holy Spirit do in our lives?
One bright Sunday morning like today, Benson's mother hurries into her son's bedroom and wakes him up. "Benson, it's Sunday. Time to get up! Time to get up and go to church! Get up!" Benson mumbles from under the covers, "I don't want to go." "What do you mean you don't want to go?" says the mother. "That's silly. Now get up and get dressed and go to church!" Benson goes, "No, I don't want to go and I'll give you two reasons why I don't want to go." He sits up on the bed and continues, "First, I don't like them and second, they don't like me." His mother replies, "Now, that's just plain nonsense. You've got to go to church and I'll give you two reasons why you must. First, you're now forty years old and, second, you're the pastor!"
Pastor Benson has a guide, his mother, who wakes him and persuades him to go out and preach. This is the kind of work that the Holy Spirit does in the hearts of believers. When fear of trouble tends to freeze our faith into silent submission to despair, the Holy Spirit warms us up and empowers us to go out there and make a difference. The Holy Spirit reminds us, as Benson's mother reminded him, that we have a mission. Our mission is to tell everybody the Good News that God is their Father, that God is the Father of us all, that in spite of all the visible difference of language and culture and social status, we are all one family and should therefore live as brothers and sisters. Our mission is to break the barriers between "us" and "them," between male and female, between Jew and Gentile, between rich and poor, between Black and White, between First World and Third World, and to bring all humankind to speak the one universal language of brotherly/sisterly love. This is possible only through the working of the Holy Spirit.
Come Holy Spirit ... and Enkindle in Us the Fire of Your Love
- Fr Anush D'Cunha SJ
Loyola, Mangalore
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