Pentecost

At different times popes of recent years have called for a new Pentecost in the Church: Pope St John XXIII in 1962, Pope Paul VI in 1975 and Pope St John Paul II in 1992. To that end we need to ensure that we have an adequate understanding of this great feast. It is not the sole preserve of people who participate in charismatic church movements nor is its significance limited to the one day of the year. The feast has implications for the whole of the Church and the whole of the liturgical year. Without the Holy Spirit the Church is simply another man made institution with all of the flaws and limitations that this brings. 

One way of looking at the feast, to deepen our understanding of it, is to treat it as we do the Resurrection, that is, to look at its effect on the disciples. Led by Peter they lost their fear and proclaimed the Gospel regardless of the risk of persecution or befalling the same fate that Jesus received. Their whole manner of life was changed. They did not disperse as the disciples who went on the road to Emmaus tried to do. Rather, they remained in community and supported one another in solidarity: 

"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved." (Acts 2: 42-47) 

Does that sound like our parish? Does the wider community look upon us in the same way? If the Holy Spirit is indeed part of our lives and prayer we will all be conformed to represent Christ to the world as did the Church in its earliest days.