Ken Overberg, S.J.

Pentecost, May 23, 2010
 
The readings for last Sunday, the feast of the Ascension, were a dramatic reminder that we must not ask the wrong question of Scripture: did it happen exactly this way? For last Sunday, the same author—Luke—gave us two different dates for the Ascension.  In the Acts of the Apostles, our usual image of Ascension, the event takes place 40 days after Easter.  But in Luke’s Gospel, the ascension takes place late on Easter Sunday night.  Luke’s Easter is a very full day: resurrection, Emmaus, Jesus’ appearance, the ascension.
 
We have a similar issue in today’s Scriptures, although with different authors.  In the first reading, with striking and familiar images, Luke describes the coming of the Spirit on Pentecost, 50 days after Easter.  On the other hand, in the gospel John describes the event taking place on Easter Sunday.  The differences remind us that our Scriptures are not giving us exact literal accounts, but rather faith proclamations about the mystery of encounters with God. To try to communicate that which is beyond words, the early Christians told stories.  Our challenge is to hear the message.
 
A little background may help us in appreciating the right question to ask: what does the story mean?  Pentecost was originally a Jewish spring harvest festival.  Later, Pentecost, celebrated 50 days after Passover, memorialized the formation of the covenant through Moses at Mt Sinai. Luke, in his Acts of the Apostles (our first reading), uses the feast to symbolize the formation of a new covenant community with the coming of the Spirit.  A major theme of Acts is the work of the Holy Spirit in the growth and spread of early Christianity among many different peoples.
 
John uses different images and time-sequences to describe the marvelous works of God.  On Easter Sunday night Jesus sends the Spirit to empower the disciples to preach and to bring forgiveness and peace.
 
In today’s second reading, Paul emphasizes another dimension of the Spirit’s coming––that we all have been given some gift of the Spirit for the sake of the common good.
 
Let’s listen to God’s word!

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These Pentecost stories are proclaiming that the glorification of Jesus empowers the first followers to preach the word to Jew and Gentile.  It is God’s Spirit at work, creating this new community, the Body of Christ. This great work now continues in and through us—God’s gift and the work of human hands!  Happily today we express this both in Eucharist and in Baptism.  Allow the word and the ritual to lead you to deeper meaning.  Be nourished by the Bread of Life.  Enjoy the familiar and tender moments of baptism, but do not miss the lifelong challenge––not only for these parents and children, but for all of us––the lifelong challenge to be faithful disciples, to preach and live boldly a message of reconciliation and compassion, nonviolence and love. And don’t forget to ask yourself: what gift have you been given for the common good?