RENEWsletter for May 23, 2010 - Pentecost

Good morning folks--
This coming Sunday is an important one in the church liturgical year: Pentecost. Literally, its meaning leaves much to be added, since "fiftieth day" is a little vague. But what happened during those 50 days after the Lord's resurrection, fills history and our lives today with meaning beyond words. It's the time God made a gift of his Holy Spirit to those original disciples. But he didn't stop there, and as a matter of fact, he didn't even begin there. God has been gifting his people with his Spirit throughout history, and he continues to do so today, and will in the future.

The readings for this Sunday, Pentecost Sunday, are found on the web at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/052310.shtml and in your Bible in:

Acts 2.1-11
Psalm 104.1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34
1 Corinthians 12.3b-7, 12-13 (or Romans 8.8-17)
John 20.19-23 (or John 14.15-6, 23b-26)

The First Reading is Luke's description of the actual event. The disciples, including the Blessed Mother, were gathered in their usual place, the "upper room" where Jesus appeared twice after his resurrection (Acts 2.1). They may have been half expecting, hoping, Jesus would appear again. I imagine there was the usual low din of conversation. These folks knew each other well and there were exciting things to discuss. The main topic was probably the recent Ascension which they witnessed, and the angels that visited them reminding them of Jesus's promise to send a "Comforter" (see John 14.16, 26). When would this happen? Were they impatient? Wondering? Anticipating? Well, they didn't have much longer to wait because on that day, suddenly, the room was filled with the sound of a strong driving wind and tongues of fire coursed into the chamber and touched, enveloped each one of them (v. 3). Then it all became clear. This was what they had been waiting for. They were filled with a passion to let people know about the Love of God and how fulfilling and thrilling and wonderful it was. They went out and began celebrating and inviting whomever they found to join in the ecstasy of knowing the love of the risen Lord (v. 4).

No doubt this Sunday's Responsorial Psalm was on their lips, bubbling forth in joy and gladness. "Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD, my God, you are great indeed!" (Ps. 104.1). The Lord had sent out his Spirit to renew the face of the earth (v. 30).

The Second Reading expands on the richness this gift of the Holy Spirit imparts. Paul explains how each member of the body of Christ receives a slightly different gift than his brother or sister in Christ (1 Cor. 12.4-6). Yet all these varied gifts fit together in God's divine plan to cover all the bases (v. 7). Some may wonder if there is a difference between a gift of the Spirit and natural talent or ability. The way I look at it, the Holy Spirit "activates" any natural gifts we may have been born with. I recall the time I applied for a new credit card. When the card came it was still useless, because it hadn't been "activated". I called the 800 number, identified myself and voila! the card was suddenly valid. In spiritual terms that volitional act of calling to activate our credit card is represented by our being filled with the Holy Spirit which results in our loving each other and our neighbor. The Holy Spirit continually bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God (see Romans 8.16).

How can we truly, selflessly love people? Even an activated, valid credit card is dormant until we use it. Maybe it's not so hard to love those who love us, but loving our enemies is a little trickier. The Gospel Reading gives a clue to the answer. When we receive the Holy Spirit, peace settles in and resides in us. Peace is the absence of fear, and without fear, we can love our enemies, present ourselves defenseless before them, reach out to them and embrace them. This may seem foolish in the eyes of the world, but we are told that the wisdom of God often appears foolish to those who lack that "peace that passes all understanding" (see 1 Corinthians 1.23, Philippians 4.7). And it is Christ himself who breathes that peace into our souls (John 20.19). Not only that -- again let me utilize the credit card analogy -- while a credit card has an expiration date, and requires renewal periodically, look at John 14.26. Jesus says, "The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you."

So it is the Spirit who bestows gifts, activates them, and renews them continually for us as we in love present ourselves as available resources to radiate the love of God to all around us. Activate or renew your gift today and put it to work this week.

Randy Jones
"Those who do not use their gifts may discover they've expired!"