PENTECOST= A NEW SPIRIT

COME HOLY SPIRIT FILL THE HEARTS OF THE FAITHFUL...

D. Werburg Welch- Stanbrook Abbey, England

 Today we start the prayers at Vespers for Pentecost, which marks the end of the Easter season.

Pentecost is the celebration of the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, coming upon Mary,  the Apostles, and the first followers of Jesus who were gathered together in the Upper Room to celebrate the ‘Feast of Weeks’ which commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.  .

A “strong, driving” wind filled the room where they were gathered, and tongues of fire came to rest on their heads, allowing them to speak in different languages so that they could understand each other.

The Holy Spirit  gave those gathered the other gifts and fruits necessary to fulfill their mission to go out and preach the Gospel to all nations. We are given those  same gifts to fulfill our mission here on this earth.

Pentecost is the “birthday of the Church” as it commemorates the establishment of the Church through the Apostles’ teachings of the gospel and the baptism of thousands of followers.

Typically, priests will wear red vestments on Pentecost, symbolic of the burning fire of God’s love and the tongues of fire that descended on the apostles.

Jyoti Sahi- India  1983

 

However, in some parts of the world, Pentecost is also referred to as “WhitSunday”, or White Sunday, referring to the white vestments that are worn in Britain and Ireland. The white is symbolic of the dove of the Holy Spirit, and typical of the vestments that catechumens desiring baptism wear on that day.

In Italy Pentecostal tradition is to scatter rose leaves from the ceiling of the churches to recall the miracle of the fiery tongues, and so in some places in Italy, Pentecost is sometimes called Pascha Rosatum (Easter roses).

In France, there is the tradition to blow trumpets during Mass to recall the sound of the driving wind of the Holy Spirit.

No matter the country or the custom, on this great feast we all need to ask, "What shall we do?"  and as Peter replies, "Each one of you must turn away from his sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins will be forgiven; and you will receive God's gift, the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38) This is still the message - repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Spirit. We, too, are called to preach the good news of Jesus Christ.

The Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words… Romans  8:26