Pentecost

Come Holy Spirit!

The feast of Pentecost reminds me of how we tell each other, "I love you." We say and act in love over an over again because we want others to know how much we love them. And in so doing, we give others our spirit. I think it is the same with God.

He does not give us his spirit in a single "born again" experience but he extends it to us for all time. In Baptism the Spirit of God cleanses us from sin. God himself nourishes us with His body and blood with each celebration of Eucharist. In confirmation, the Bishop anoints us and prays, "Be filled with the Holy Spirit," and asks God to fill us with every gift and grace just as Jesus did to his disciples after his resurrection. God breaths forgiveness on us through the sacrament of Reconciliation. When we enter in the the sacred covenant of marriage we are able to express Ruah to our partner and act as Christ to one another. The Lord is constantly transforming us more and more into His image when we celebrate the sacraments!

Ruah, the breath of God named in Genesis at the creation of all things, in opening the gospel of John as the "Word," and in Acts 2 as "a strong driving wind," carries us through our lives as a sacramental and pilgrim people. So here we are (after anticipating the Messiah's birth through Advent; celebrating it at Christ Mass and the Christmas season; painfully walking with him through Lent to the cross; and victoriously celebrating his triumph over death at Easter) come to Pentecost and the fruitful planting of our gifts in the world by the indwelling of Ruah, The Breath of God!

May we, by the grace of God the Father, the love of Christ his son, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be ever faithful to his call.

Pax Tecum!