May 29, 2020

“The church of Christ is always, so to speak, in a situation of Pentecost:  she is always gathered in the upper room in prayer, and at the same time, driven by the powerful wind of the Spirit, she is always on the streets preaching. The church is kept ever young and alive, one, holy and apostolic because the Spirit constantly descends upon her in order to remind her of all that the Lord has said to her and to guide her into the fullness of truth.” - Pope St. John Paul II
 
The disciples entered the upper room as a frightened band of followers. Jesus was gone and they had no idea what their future would look like. After they received the Holy Spirit, the disciples left that room as convicted followers of Jesus Christ; they were all in, and they spoke words that people of many different nations and languages could understand.
 
How was it that they were able to understand? Maybe it was because what they heard was the language of love—of Christ crucified, died, and buried for sins; the language of love—of Christ risen to gain eternal life for all who believe; the language of love—of God who calls us by name, God who would never leave us, God who is with us in Spirit to give us courage when we are afraid, to give us hope in the face of difficulties, to help us feel peace in time of trial, and to demonstrate everlasting love when all seems lost.
 
Pope Francis said “The Pentecost of the upper room in Jerusalem is the beginning, a beginning which endures.” That beginning, the Church, endures because of the faithful disciples who came before us and prayed and preached and shared the gifts of the Holy Spirit unto this very day. Now it’s our turn. We are the Church. By God’s grace and because of the power of the Holy Spirit, we can answer the call of our baptism. We can share Jesus with a world desperate for His mercy and love.
 
May the Spirit of God rest upon each of us and give us the grace to continue to share the Good News of God’s great love.
 
Come, Holy Spirit.
 
 ©Mary V. Pribbenow