PENTECOST, WISDOM AND COURAGE

The color of Pentecost is fiery red.  This is in remembrance of the tongues of fire that hovered over the apostles in the locked room and of the powerful wind that also signaled the Holy Spirit’s presence. That this was a trans-formative event for the apostles is clear. They were a band of close collaborators and friends who were praying and seeking a new purpose and direction.  They were not yet convinced of their new role as witnesses to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, their Rabbi and Master. They were unclear as to how they were to witness, where and in what capacity.  Tradition suggests that they were also anxious, fearful of persecution and death.

Into this world of fear and uncertainty, the Holy Spirit descended and changed everything. The Gift of Tongues was characterized by many different languages spoken in praise of God but miraculously understood by all present as their own language.  The confusion of languages that had occurred in the Tower of Babel story is now overturned by a different experience of languages that does not result in confusion but exultant praise in a miraculous harmony.  This event is also a foreshadowing of the responsibility of preaching the “Good News” to peoples of every race and language that the Apostles would gradually assume.  One of the most powerful sermons presented in the Acts of the Apostles is Peter’s Pentecost Address.  It is a crystallization of post-Resurrection Faith that is most inspirational and challenging.  “THEREFORE LET THE WHOLE HOUSE OF ISRAEL KNOW FOR CERTAIN THAT GOD HAS MADE HIM BOTH LORD AND MESSIAH, THIS JESUS WHOM YOU CRUCIFIED.”

Peter then goes on to invite all of his listeners to follow the New Way and have their lives changed forever.

“REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED, EVERYONE OF YOU, IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF YOUR SINS, AND YOU WILL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.”

This declaration of faith and call to conversion would be echoed over and over again throughout the known world and was spread like wildfire in a movement like the world had never seen before.  Pentecost is often described as the “Birthday of the Church” because the preaching, witnessing, conversions and baptisms would build the early Church of community, sharing, mutual support and prayers.  This is forever the model of earliest Christianity for all ages to imitate.

Pentecost reminds us that the Church is ever being energized and given new direction by the presence of the Holy Spirit.  Each generation of Christians has its own set of challenges to deal with but we know that we are never alone.  The Paraclete and Advocate that Jesus left us as a gift is constantly present with us.  The Holy Spirit’s influence is one of courage, wisdom and imagination.  The impetus to think outside of the box and to take necessary risks for the Gospel and its proclamation comes from the Holy Spirit.  It is a prolongation of Pentecost to every age and generation.  In our Church’s life and in our personal lives we need to discern, listen and follow wherever the Holy Spirit guides us. Prayer with true humility and docility opens the door for the Holy Spirit and brings us guidance and courage.

Come Holy Spirit, Come!

– Msgr. Michael D. McGraw