RBWords

    The Acts of the Apostles and the Gospel of John each give us a different story about the coming of the Holy Spirit, as promised by Jesus.  As dramatic as the Gospel of John is, this time Acts seems to have made the bigger impact on tradition since the scene with the apostles and Mary and "tongues of fire" is the one most folks think of when Pentecost is mentioned.  St. Paul's reflection relieves us from choosing by his wonderful reflection on the impact of the Holy Spirit on the church and on each one of us.

     I have mentioned the diversity I encounter in my itinerant ministry!  Yet, the strength of the faith of so many people seems a common strand.  All the "spiritual gifts" that St. Paul can imagine seem to be at work.  Occasionally I do meet individuals or groups that are convinced their gifts are "special" and require special recognition!  This is where wisdom becomes the most important spiritual gift.  It is the common good of the whole Body of Christ that must be the "filter" through which we recognize gifts in the church, and not simply the particular good of an individual or group.  This discernment and recognition is not perfect but Christ has promised that ultimately the church will survive human imperfection and mistakes.  I'm counting on that promise as I write this reflection and as I preach parish missions, retreats and novenas!  

     The celebration of the feast of Pentecost is the celebration of the "birthday" of the Church, but that means the birthday of us all in Baptism/Confirmation.  The church is not a collection of bricks and mortar, as glorious or humble as those bricks and mortar or wood or palm fronds may be.  I am reminded of the little hand exercise to the words:  "This is the church.  This is the steeple.  Open the door and here are the people!"  It is when we see the people as the primary place of the Holy Spirit, that we know the true meaning of Pentecost.   AMEN