It was only last year that I learned to look at the Feast of Pentecost in a new way after reading an article by Fr Ronald Rolheiser.
You see in the past I often wondered why did the disciples need Pentecost? I mean they lived with Jesus and were witnesses to the resurrection. Jesus even appeared to them. They heard, touched, held, ate with him and saw him “ascend”. Is that not enough?
A part of the answer lies in the fact that we are looking “back” after the event. You see even after Jesus was raised, the apostles remained frightened and when they had gathered, the “doors were closed” (Jn 20:19). Things still did not make full sense. They waited 50 days for Pentecost (The word in Greek means the 50th day).
Jesus was no longer present physically and the disciples missed him. Even in his post-resurrectional appearances he was not the same. I mean they did not recognise him (See Jn 20:14). But Jesus tried to prepare them for this when he told them that “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me” (Jn 16:16).
Poor disciples looked so confused, worried and scared. They felt orphaned simply because they were used to the physical presence of Jesus and he was no longer. Their eyes got used to Jesus and now they cannot see him anymore. Physically he is gone and even worse they were being persecuted. What they needed is reassurance, courage and a NEW way that their master would be present.
What they needed is Pentecost. They needed the Holy Spirit to help make sense of the past. They had experienced God’s presence when Jesus was present. But Now it was time to be open to the Spirit who is God, who is present in them and through them and experience the Spirit’s blessing. Their stories can now begin again and bear fruit.
Isn’t this our story? It is a bit like that for us. We need Pentecost in our lives. How often we cling and hold on to a past that is far gone? How often we say: “Only if I lived in the time of Jesus I would be happier”. There is a list of only if’s that I can write. But Jesus is telling you and me: ‘Do not hold on to me’ (Jn 20:17), “I have given you an advocate” (Jn 14:16). He is telling us that now you have the Spirit, a guarantee that “I am with you always until the end of the age” (Mt 28:20). And don’t we need a helper, a comforter and a defender?
Oh, how much we need this reassurance. Just look at how many times spouses must tell each other “I love you” or how many times they ask each other “Do you love me?” We need reassurance.
Oh, how much we struggle with lack of physical presence as for example when someone dies. Yet Pentecost is God’s way of telling us that there is a new way that they are present. A better way, a deeper way.
Let us not be afraid. It is Pentecost. Jesus is in the room. He has given us the Spirit. And we are together. We no longer are limited by the physical, by time and space. No doors will keep him out. We are forever immersed in his presence.
Live in Pentecost.
Burning Hearts 