Pentecost meditations on the Scriptures...for Vigil and for Feast, May 10, May 11, 2008

Scripture for the Vigil of Pentecost...some thoughts. Saturday, May 10,
2008: Texts: Choice to be made for first reading from the following
places:
Genesis 11:1-9. Exodus 19:3-8,16-20. Ezekiel 37:1-14. Joel 3:1-5.Psalm
104:1-2,24,35, 27-30.Romans 8:22-27. John 7:37-39.

With such a plethora of texts to choose from, we may profit in
reading them before the Mass or as a way of preparation for the Feast of
Pentecost. They are well chosen, ranging from the Torah through the
Prophets and Writings (Psalm 104) to the great Epistle of Paul to the
Romans and finally to an important mention of the Spirit in John's Book of
Signs (chapters 1-12 in the Gospel of John). The texts are to be used in
the morning or early afternoon for the Mass. For the morning one may also
choose the seventh Saturday after Easter. Only through a slow and pondered
reading or a method like lectio divina can we assimilate this abundant
source from the inspired Scriptures of both Old and New Testaments. Here
are a few leading thoughts on the above texts:
Genesis 11:1-11: The tower of Babel contrasts with what will happen
in the Upper Room in Jerusalem on the very feast of Pentecost. Unity and
diversity are present in that upper room while scattering, chaos, and a
total confusion of languages and tongues happen at Babel. We do well to
choose the spirit of cooperation with God through prayer and waiting than
through selfish jealousy against God's beautiful plan for them.
Exodus 19:3-8, 16-20 is the narrative of the covenant and the giving
of the Torah on Mount Sinai to Moses. This is during the Jewish Feast of
Succoth or Pentecost and is a great event for God's people Israel who are
free to enter their land. The covenant response of the people will be
mirrored by that of Mary of Nazareth in her covenant with God at the
Annunciation.
Ezekiel 37:1-14 gives us an attractive example of how new life is
possible with God breathing on dead dry bones. For the Christian this new
life begins at Baptism and opens us up to the gifts and fruits of the Holy
Spirit.
Joel 3:1-5 shows us the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon elders and
youngsters, men and women. They will dream dreams and see visions thus
indicating the interior life guided by the Spirit through mysticism and
contemplation.
Psalm 104 is used for both the vigil and the feast of Pentecost. It
is perfect as a short prayer in the response, "Lord, send out your Spirit
and renew the face of the earth (Psalm 104:30)." God's breath brings life
to all of creation and we know that "it is good; it is indeed very good."
Romans 8:22-27 is a passage that gives us hope for even when we do
not know how to pray the Holy Spirit prompts us to stay in contact with God
through our groanings or even through the gift of tongues. The Spirit
intercedes for us.
John 7:37-39 is the first direct mention of the Person of the Holy
Spirit in John's Gospel and the theme of water illustrates this Presence.
We are encouraged by Jesus himself to drink of the wellsprings of the
Spirit. We know that Jesus needs to leave and rise from the dead before
the Spirit, our Advocate, comes.
Sequence for Holy Spirit: Both the prose and poetic form of this
beautiful sequence can be a fitting conclusion to our personal prayer and
meditation on the above texts. We can also join this to the alleluiah
verse, "Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in
them the fire of your love." Amen.

Pentecost Sunday, May 11, 2008. Scripture: Acts 2:1-11. Psalm 104:1.24,
29-30. I Cor.12:3-7, 12-13. John 20:19-23. Lectionary # 64:

Only Luke gives us the event of Pentecost as the Spirit descending
upon those gathered in the upper room in Jerusalem. We can find those who
are named in Acts 1:12-14, the eleven and Mary, the Mother of Jesus. The
rest of the men and women are not named. Events and words are part of the
fabric of both the Old Testament and the New Testament. Narrative or words
explain and describe the events or mirabilia Dei, the marvelous works of
God. Pentecost is one of those great events in the history of salvation
and is considered the birthday of the Church. Luke brings out the
universalism and mission of the ones who receive the Holy Spirit who is
described through a powerful wind and tongues of fire. The images help us
to understand the theology of the gifted writer, Luke.
Psalm 104 is a psalm of God's creative plan of salvation for
generations of believers and we pray in the response, "Lord, send forth
your Spirit and renew the face of the earth." (verse 30).
We learn from St. Paul that it is only through the Holy Spirit that
Christians can say that "Jesus is Lord." We received the gift of the
Spirit at our Baptism and our faith is nourished each day through this Holy
Sanctifier. "Paul undermines any spiritual elitism by reminding them that
all had made this baptismal confession", namely, by being able to say,
"Jesus is Lord."
John reminds us that Jesus had to rise from the dead before the
Spirit could come, but on the very day of his resurrection, Jesus breathes
the Holy Spirit upon them and they experience both peace and the gift of
being forgiven as well as being able to forgive. We as Catholics believe
that this text is the scriptural foundation for the sacrament of
reconciliation or Penance. Since we have been nourished by these texts for
both the vigil and feast of Pentecost, we recall the words of the
Constitution on Divine Revelation of Vatican II, paragraph 21: In the
sacred books the Father who is in heaven meets his children with great love
and speaks with them; and the force in the Word of God is so great that it
remains the support and energy of the Church, the strength of faith for her
children, the food of the soul, the pure and perennial source of spiritual
life." We know that it is the Holy Spirit who is the interpreter of this
word of God and the Person of the Trinity who sanctifies us. Amen.