Pentecost — Fiftieth Day

Wind! Fire! Fear! Awe! Chaos! These are signs of that first Pentecost. Signs that produced "New Life" for ages to come. We are products of this birth of new life and infusion of God's Spirit into our lives and into our world.

Scripture

When the day of Pentecost came, it found Jesus' apostles gathered in one place. Suddenly from up in the sky there came a noise like a strong driving wind that was heard all through the house where they were seated. Tongues as of fire appeared which parted and came to rest on each of the apostles.

Acts 2:1- 4

Reflection:

Pentecost is a time to remember when we have experienced the movement of God's Spirit as the apostles did. A difficult concept — a mystery. The apostles' lives were changed after they received the Holy Spirit symbolized by tongues of fire. They were transformed from people of fear to people of courage. They were changed from apostles of timidity to apostles of certitude and conviction.

We too can make a difference in our world by the spirit of 'new Pentecost'. For example, last summer we saw the effects of wind and fire. The west coast in Canada was ravished by wind and fire. The news networks captured the fear in the people as they watched homes and lives destroyed. Out of this came compassion, love, friendship, hope, new life - all works and gifts of the Spirit. Today new homes are being rebuilt by people helping one another; plants are shooting up through the charred soils and animals are returning, finding food supplied by the people. Could this have been another Pentecost? Out of chaos came a reversal of events that has brought new life and change. The Spirit cannot be seen. We look for the influences of those movements that can only be the result of that indwelling "spark" of fire. Without the Holy Spirit, God is far away. With the Holy Spirit you and I are enabled to bring peace and harmony to a broken world. Let's start today!

Reflection Questions

1. How has the Holy Spirit moved in my life today? Am I aware of these experiences? Am I listening?
2. What have I done in my life in order to become a witness in proclaiming the Holy Spirit's power in myself or in another?
3. What Spirit moves in me most often - the Spirit of hope, of compassion, of prayer, of consolation? Another? How does this work of the Spirit change my life?

Prayer

"Spirit Wind, Breath of God, breathe new life into the world"

(Text: Psalm 104, adapted; copyright 1997 by GIA Publications, Inc. - Music: Scott Soper)

For other prayers, see this page