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May 27, 2023Reflection for Pentecost: May 28, 2023
Acts 2:1-11: As we read this awe-inspiring passage, let’s contemplate how marvelously, miraculously and perfectly our God has choreographed this Holy Event! Consider this brief list of components of this miraculous experience: …they were all together in one place… strong wind-sounds fill the house… tongues of fire appear, seem to part and alight on each person, present… all are filled with the Holy Spirit… all speak in foreign tongues… Jews from every nation gather in a large crowd… each one of these diverse peoples hears Jesus’ disciples speak in her/his own language… all hear of the mighty acts of God! Contemplate that those present hear and feel the wind, see the tongues of fire, hear of God’s mighty acts and feel and know the Presence of the Holy Spirit. Just contemplate it!
Psalm 104: “Lord, send out Your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.” After having contemplated the “components” of the Pentecost miracle, how fitting it is that we should revel in the glory and power of God; as reflected in this joyful psalm! Just contemplate God’s creation and God’s creatures. Let yourself marvel at the beauty of nature, the love among God’s people and the breath-taking miracles God has worked throughout the ages! Take time to contemplate… with reverence… our total dependence upon God… in both our lives… and upon our deaths. We are the Lord’s! We belong to Him and are at His disposal! Our God reigns! O Most Blessed Trinity, make us sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit! May Your most holy and perfect Will be done… unto us… and by us… now and forever! Amen! May all people accomplish God’s Will for them! Thusly, the Kingdom shall be fulfilled!
1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13: Ponder that in his first words to us, today, St. Paul reminds us that any and all gifts, virtues and talents within us are never a reward; but always a free and unearned gift from God! Even our very desires to praise and worship God don’t originate with us, but instead are evidence that God has already gifted us with a desire to know God, love God and serve God! As Paul illustrates, today we celebrate the diversity of our ministries…. Different spiritual gifts… different forms of service… different “workings” produced in each of us… different benefits from the manifestations of the Holy Spirit to each of us. We indeed celebrate differences… but we also celebrate similarities and commonalities and the “unifying experiences” that God sends our way: “the same Spirit… the same Lord… Who visits us all and accomplishes (God’s) good works in us all! In the Holy Trinity, we share in One Body and One Spirit. Alleluia!
John 20:19-23: Now, contemplate a great unifying and dynamic experience of the Church… the Pentecost! The infant Church and its leaders are thereby transformed. Jesus comes and stands in the midst of His disciples. Jesus stands among us! Then, Jesus bestows peace! Jesus shows His “identification” (His hands and His side). In response, the disciples see, believe and rejoice! Jesus then repeats His conferral of peace. Jesus now declares His intention to send them… as the Father has sent Him (Jesus), to minister to others.
Jesus then breathes on them and bestows the Holy Spirit upon them. Jesus gives them authority to forgive sins or retain them. They are ordained.
Once again, take time this week to pause and contemplate the holy elements of the Pentecost narrative. See, believe and rejoice! Don’t let yourself miss the miracle or its graces. Believe. Rejoice.
Deacon Matt
