Pentecost 2011
The cenacle is the place where Jesus had his last meal before giving himself over to be crucified.
It was also the place where the disciples gathered for safety and saw Jesus after his resurrection.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, loved the place because of the good memories. Also it was the place where the apostles returned to after a hard day’s work of preaching the good news. Mary encouraged them and thanked them for talking about her son.
About fifty days after the resurrection, on the day of Pentecost the Lord’s followers were together in the cenacle. Were they waiting for the promised the Holy Spirit?
Suddenly there was a noise from heaven like the sound of a mighty wind. It filled the room where they were meeting. They saw what looked like fiery tongues moving in all directions, and a tongue came and settled on each person there. The Holy Spirit took control on everyone, and they began speaking whatever the Spirit let them speak to tell the wonderful things God has done.
Every one was excited and confused. Some of them even kept asking each other, “What does all this mean?”
Mary knew better. It is not only the swirling tongues of fire, but also a touch as gentle as the wing of a fantail.
Nothing will ever be the same again. Mary told Peter, “Go for it. The Spirit will remind you what to say.” So Peter in his first sermon, as he stood outside the cenacle on that first Pentecost morning, recalled to the listeners the prophecy of the book of Joel which spoke of this mysterious outpouring of the Spirit. “In the days to come- it is the Lord who speaks- I will pour out my spirit on all people…before the great Day of the Lord dawns”. Before that the early followers were trying to copy their Master. The Spirit, on the day of Pentecost, finished the painting
The church will be surrounded by light. In the clouds, lifting her, there will be a dove. This symbol of the Spirit, who will make church into
an apostolic community, “faithful to the teaching of the apostles;
a brotherly community, sustained by frequent contacts and frequent meetings;
a eucharistic community, celebrating the memorial of the Lord, “until he comes”;
a prayer community, first in the temple, and then more and more, “in their houses.”
Pentecost is the birthday of that church.
Pentecost reminds us of fire. That is what a friend just mentioned: Fire in the soul of the church. I pray it is a bonfire, a fire that cleanses, a fire that gives warmth, a fire that gives life, a fire that is good.
Our hearts will be aflame, celebrating love and our soul’s return.
And Mary agrees. Keeps the story going, she says. Bless you.
Thank you Mary, full of grace. Dominus tecum, Benedicta tu.
Fr John Heijnen 8.6.11
