Thoughts on Pentecost

 

The Spirit is upon us, surrounds us, and is within us!

The time or season of Pentecost is upon the church.  We are the ones who should be moved and moving.  The fun thing is that you already have everything you need!!

We’re not running out to buy the Spirit or to have a ‘pep-rally’ to raise our spirit.  Baptized!  We have the Spirit and that Holy Spirit, that Spirit of Holiness, is deep within you!  All you need.  We should want the Spirit and rely on the Spirit within us.  Find that spark and encourage it to be.  It’s a gift that we should use and appreciate.

As Jesus tells us, the “wind blows where it will…”   So to, the Spirit like wind or fire is something beautiful to grasp, but not something to be controlled.  We should let ourselves be guided and open to new possibilities.

In that upper room, when the Pentecost experience happened, individual believers shared a common experience.  By that experience they became one.  The wonderful thing about unity is that it is NOT uniformity.  God loves wondrous variety!  Each of us needs to be ourselves and true to ourselves and that Spirit within.

If we can do that, we will find ourselves standing for things we never thought of like feeding the hungry, loving our enemies and doing good to those who put us down.  Sometimes, the spirit in us sparks just enough to enflame.The spirit is someone we can’t agree with and before everything is done we find common ground, understanding and tolerance, if not love.

This Pentecost season is a call to action, but first to listen within.  What is the Spirit moving us towards?  Before you know it, you may be deeply connected with others; the neighbors, friends and people who have needs.  We can find ourselves closer to people and ultimately, closer to God.

Much of this thought is inspired by Fr. Richard Rohr, ofm.  Check him out on YouTube and the Center for Action and Contemplation
Father Jack
716-400-9670
jack.marshall@stmarksop.org