Pentecost: Happy Birthday, Church!

READ the IMAGE: Mary, the Mother of God, the Apostles and disciples are gathered together. The elevated floor and steps refer to the “upper room” where the disciples prayed until God sent them “help”; the “Paraclete” who is the third Person of the Holy Trinity. Mary is center stage because the devotion to her, as the Mother of Jesus, was strong in this time period.

Each disciple has a flame, like a tongue of fire, over his or her head, representing the Holy Spirit. This isn’t an artist’s decision; it is what eye-witnesses reported actually happened. The bright light and clouds from above indicate heaven. Harder to depict is the “noise from the sky that sounded like a strong, driving wind”. It was so loud that a large crowd gathered outside the house to investigate the noise, thus giving the Apostles an audience for their first sermons.

Mary is dressed in the blue of truth, which she possessed as an eye witness to Jesus’ entire life. Rather than the red of sacrifice, the red in her gown and in the vestments of some of the disciples depicts the passion and fervor of love, of the belief they felt. This outpouring of the Holy Spirit is a clear connection of heaven and earth. The artwork makes heaven close enough to almost touch.

The Apostles and disciples have various reactions. Some seem almost nonchalant, as though this does not surprise them; they had just been waiting for it to happen. Others are raising their hands to accept the Spirit, to give praise and thanks to Jesus for again doing what He said He’d do. Others seem frighten and repentent, perhaps for a faith that was lacking the depth it deserved.

The disciples prayed for nine days from the Ascension to Pentecost. That is why novenas–praying for a specific intention for nine days–is a popular Catholic devotion.

COMMENTARY: Pentecost comes from the Greek word pentecoste which means fiftieth. The Holy Spirit came on the 50th day after the Resurrection. (Pentecost also refers to the Jewish “Festival of Harvest” which was celebrated 50 days after Passover.) The seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit and the many Fruits of the Spirit were given to Mary, the Apostles and disciples. Most noteably was the gift of speaking in different “tongues” or languages that allowed the crowd outside, from all different parts of the country, to understand them in their own native language. When someone accused them of being drunk–because they were all speaking different languages and were giddy with joy–Peter stood up in front of them and explained. “These people are not drunk as you suppose; it is only nine o’clock in the morning. Instead, this is what the prophet Joel spoke about: … I will pour out my Spirit on everyone. Your sons and daughters will proclaim my message….” (Acts 2:15)

REFLECTION: Imagine yourself with the disciples in the Upper Room or as one of the people in the crowd outside. You hear the sound of a strong, driving wind. You see tongues of fire over the disciples heads. You see Peter and the disciples really pumped up; smiling, laughing, speaking loudly to the growing crowd and being understood by everyone no matter their native language. You see Peter and the disciples showing wisdom, understanding and the other Gifts of the Holy Spirit, plus love, joy, patience and all the other Fruits of the Holy Spirit. You see them baptize 3,000 people that day! The Church, that is, the Body of Christ, has been born! How do you react?— What do you want most from Pentecost?

What is the biblical meaning of numbers???

FIND OUT BY FOLLOWING MY SUMMER SERIES–FUN FACTS AND QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTIon –ON THE BEACH, IN THE BACKYARD, AROUND A CAMPFIRE, UNDER THE STARS, WITH THE SUNRISE OR SUNSET….