June 2019

Pentecost Sunday is traditionally called the birthday of the Church, so perhaps today is a good day for the whole Church, once again, to take stock and reflect on the story of the last 2000 years. Hopefully, too, we will be able to recognize that it is not only the good times but even the bad and difficult times that help to shape us and to realize the truth of St. Paul’s teaching that God can turn everything to good.

The Gospel reading today is from what is known as the “Last Supper discourse” in John’s Gospel. Jesus was soon to be arrested and suffer His passion and death. He would not leave apostles orphans; He would come back to them; the Father would send them the Holy Spirit. Clearly the apostles failed to understand. But when the day of Pentecost arrives, everything changes. Dramatically they are transformed. Full of courage, they go out and proclaim the message of Jesus’ resurrection and His message of salvation.

Today provides us as individuals and the Church as a whole with a wonderful opportunity to pause and the stock. It may be that you have been faced in your own life with challenges and doubts that have tested your faith and left you hesitant and uncertain. The body of Jesus has faced huge challenges down through the centuries. It has had to endure the persecutions, the Dark Ages and the Reformation and much else besides. The message of today’s feast is that all of this is redeemable in Christ. If we allow the Spirit of God to open our hearts and remind us of all that Jesus has taught us, then we will speak the language of love and Christ will redeem our lives and the life of the Church. We will see again that the gifts of the Spirit – wisdom, knowledge, understanding, courage, right judgment, awe and reverence – enable us to put everything into God’s perspective. The Lord can indeed turn everything to good. He is with us, as He always has been.