As we celebrate the feast of Pentecost (8 June), we recall the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles, Mary and others gathered in the Upper Room. This event is often referred to as the birth of the Church.

In his book, Breath of Life: a Theology of the Creator Spirit, the Australian theologian Fr Denis Edwards reminds us there are other comings of the Holy Spirit. At the very beginning of creation when all was darkness and emptiness and chaos, the Spirit hovered over the waters and so began the universe story.

At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus comes to the synagogue in Nazareth, unrolls the scroll and reads from Isaiah, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor; he has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free.” (Luke 4: 18) The Spirit accompanies Jesus throughout his life, and in his final discourse to his apostles, Jesus promises “the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all I have said to you.” (John 14: 26)

In Ellwangen, Germany, there is a Holy Spirit Church filled with artwork by priest and artist Sieger Köder, who chose to depict eight key comings of the Holy Spirit. One of the stained-glass windows shows Pope John XXIII who, in preparation for the Second Vatican Council, invited all to pray for “a new Pentecost”. May we be open to a new Pentecost!

Pope John XXIII is seated in a church with windows wide open and with his contemporary, the priest and theologian Teilhard de Chardin. We can see the title of his last encyclical, Pacem in Terris, that is, Peace on Earth, so desperately needed in today’s world.

Let us pray:

Josephine Dubiel rsj
Congregational Leadership Team