Weekend Mass

Dear Beloved Family of St. Anselm,

The readings for Pentecost speak of the Holy Spirit in three ways: the portraits of the Spirit, the proclamation of the Spirit, and the propagation by the Spirit.

I. The Portraits of the Spirit – The readings employ two images: rushing wind and tongues of fire. These two images recall Psalm 50, which says, Our God comes, he does not keep silence, before him is a devouring fire, round about him a mighty tempest. As rushing wind, Spirit refers to breath. This is preserved in the word "respiration," which is the act of breathing. Those first Christians experienced the rushing wind of God's Spirit breathing spiritual life back into them. Also, the Bible often speaks of God as fire or in fiery terms: Moses saw Him as a burning bush. God led the people out of Egypt through the desert as a pillar of fire. Moses went up onto a fiery Mount Sinai where God was. Scriptures also call God a Holy fire, a consuming fire (cf Heb 12:29) and a refining fire (cf Is. 48:10; Jer 9:7; Zec 13:9; Mal 3:3). So it is that our God, who is a Holy Fire, comes to dwell in us through His Holy Spirit to refine us, burn away our sins, and purify us. 

II. The Proclamation of the Spirit – The Spirit came on the apostles like "tongues" of fire, moving them to speak and witness, not just within the safety of the upper room, but boldly before the crowds that gathered. Earlier, these were frightened men behind locked doors. Now, they go forth to proclaim Christ boldly. What about us? Many Christians are silent, overcome by fear of being called names, being resisted, or being unpopular. But to the degree that we have really met Jesus Christ and experienced His Holy Spirit, we are less able to keep silent. Notice how the Spirit “translates” for the Apostles. The crowd spoke different languages, yet each heard Peter and the others in his own language. The Spirit, therefore, assists us and those who listen to us. Some of our most doubt-filled encounters with others can still bear great fruit on account of the work of the Holy Spirit, who “translates” for us and overcomes obstacles we might think insurmountable.

III. The Propagation by the Spirit – The Lord said, Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (Matt 28; Luke 12:49). This is only possible in the fiery transformation of every Christian going forth to bring warmth and light to a cold, dark world. This is how the Lord casts fire upon the earth. Thisis how the Spirit of the Lord fills the planet's orb—in the lives of saints (and in your life)! This implies exiting the "upper room," opening the doors, and proclaiming Christ to spread light and heat to a dark, cold world.  

Amen.