This Sunday we celebrate the feast of Pentecost. In theory (according to correct theological principles) it is the second most important feast on the liturgical calendar. It is more important than Christmas.
Now, for most Christians this is just another Sunday. Pentecost is almost a non-event.
Over the centuries mainline Christianity (Catholic and Protestant versions) so strongly emphasized the redemptive death of Jesus that the Resurrection and Pentecost got left behind. The preaching and the liturgical practice became off-balanced. The ordinary Christiaan in the pew, who did not have a firm understanding of our Christiaan history, did not ask any questions about this off-balance.
Always think of our salvation history as two bookends. On one side is the death-resurrection of Jesus and the other end of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Pentecost Our redemption, our being united to God happened in the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus. We were redeemed by the very Son of God. Now, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Pentecost is God’s redemptive plan that now the disciples must be the living extension in time and geography of the redemption achieved in Jesus Christ. We are being given the Holy Spirit (third person of the Trinity) to bring healing, justice and compassion to the world. In other words, the disciples must become the living extension of the life and mission of Jesus Christ.
Western Christianity brought us up to do the right thing (i.e., good behavior) in order to be considered acceptable to God. Now, we know that to correct the balance we must allow Pentecost to challenge and educate us in Gospel living.
In Pentecost the Holy Spirit fills the disciples with power and courage. They break out of the locked room and begin proclaiming the message of Jesus in the languages of the pilgrims gathered in Jerusalem. This means that Christ message is for all peoples. There is no higher and lower persons. All hear the good News. All are welcomed and all treated equally. This is such a sharp contrast to the way societies are organized with the rich and powerful at the top and the poor and lowly at the bottom. God’s way of working always upsets human way of power and control.
The Holy spirit is given to the believers. Now the Holy spirit lives within us, moves us and empowers us to do the mission of Jesus Christ. This teaching has not been given the priority that it deserves in the lives of the disciples. The Holy Spirit not only makes us holy but moves and empowers us to reach out the poor and the dispossessed. The Holy Spirit is not given to maintain the structures of control within our society, but the move us to a life of compassion and justice. Whenever we reach out toward the poor, that is the movement of the Holy Spirit.
As we mark Pentecost this Sunday reflect on what the Holy Spirit actually means in your life. How does the Holy Spirit shape the life of your parish community?
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