By Rudy M. Viernes
The seventh Sunday after Easter is Pentecost Sunday. This year it will be on May 23 and the Sunday after is May 30, the Feast of the Holy Spirit.
Pentecost is not a specially celebrated Church event. Not many Catholics, even those renewed, know much about Pentecost and its religious significance. The Pentecostal movement is a large and powerful religious movement to originate in the United States. It has been called Christendom’s “forth force” that has impacted the world. It is observed as a church holiday among Protestant groups to celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles.
The Apostles were huddled behind closed doors discussing the events of resurrection when the risen Christ appeared in their midst offering them peace. He said: “Peace be with you…receive the Holy Spirit.”
When we make the sign of the Cross we say “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
“Who” is the Holy Spirit? He is the Third Person in one Godhead, the other are the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit is, symbolized by the mystical dove, in the mysterious dogma of the Blessed Trinity, a co-ordinate of the Father and the Son, each a distinct Person and divinity, but co-equal and co-eternal.
The Apostles Creed contains the fundamental doctrine of the Christian faith. But the ordinary faithful does not give the Holy Spirit the “recognition” that he gives the Father and the Son. In the Creed the Holy Spirit is mentioned in the last sentence, as if it is an afterthought, in these sparse words “I believe in the Spirit,’ nothing else unlike the more profuse passages that describe God the Father and God the Son, Jesus Christ in the very first sentence. There is less emphasis given the Holy Spirit in the Creed.
Until 12 years ago. The Vatican Council under Pope John Paul took cognizance of the divinity of the Holy Spirit and proclaimed 1998 the Year of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Father said that the renewal of the Church cannot be fulfilled without the intervention of the Holy Spirit. With this proclamation the whole of Christendom started to be aware of the equal importance of the Holy Spirit in the Holy Triad.
But Mark provides one difference and this is the sin against the Holy Spirit. That people can be forgiven any sin and any evil thing against God or His Son. But those who speak blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. They carry the guilt of their sins forever. Mark 3:28-29.
The Vatican proclamation puts together the shared belief of Christians all over the world that the Holy Spirit can make man be born again when his old self is buried with Christ and a new self is resurrected with him. “When anyone is joined with Christ, he is a new being, the old is gone, and the new one has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:7.
Fr.Raniero Cantalamessa of the papal household says that any baptized Christian is endowed with chrisms which have been left dormant in him since baptism (with water). But when he is baptized in the Holy Spirit the charisms are energized into frenetic frenzy. Charisms are like atoms that give off rays of energy when reactivated, like a beehive that becomes buzzed when stirred.
Thus in Acts 2 when the Apostles were “filled with fire” they were held in thrall. Their hearts became alive and exuberant. They began to speak in different languages yet they were proclaiming the same mighty acts of God.
Before my late wife and I were renewed we were invited to attend a prayer meeting of a charismatic group. After some rhetorical talks, gospel singing and importuning for grace there was a sudden upsurge of emotion around us. Everybody was astir with joy. We felt awkward and uncomfortable amidst the furor of people acting funny and theatrical. We didn’t understand what was going on. Everybody was expressive of praise and fervor, their hands upraised, arms swaying and chanting hallelujahs, crying in total relish. They were “speaking in tongues” like drunks.
Peter assured his fellow disciples that these people were not drunk. They were poured with the Holy Spirit. They were given powers of healing, prophesying, gifts to spread His message, powers to perform miracles.
We found this out when we ourselves joined the renewal movement. We were advised to give the Holy Spirit free rein over us during the “pray over.” Let Him work His way, not to resist Him. Soon we felt a sudden surge in our system, gooseflesh, a hot convoluted feeling. The charisms in us were stirred, jarred from lethargy.
The Holy Spirit can comfort the most hardened heart if you let Him. He did this to the penitent thief who implored Jesus crucified at his left side in Calvary to remember him when he goes back to his kingdom. Repent and your sins will be forgiven, your heart cleansed of its impurities, and only then will you receive the Holy Spirit.
Every time we go to confession it is the Holy Spirit that acts to wash away our sins. We feel unburdened. When we forgive somebody who has wronged us the act is a denial of pride and it is the Holy Spirit that urges us to do so. Thus, when we sing “Our Father” we should be true to that portion “…as we forgive those who trespass against us…” feigning no hypocrisy.
We remember the story of a couple who were instantly goaded by the Holy Spirit when the bad one was about to triumph over them.
They were to attend the inaugural mass of the priest they had supported for the priesthood. The wife had an incurable habit of always making “back seat” remarks about her husband’s driving. As expected they had an argument in the car on their way to Church. One word led to another until both were heated up they thought they should turn back because they were already demonized. But when they reached the place they stayed put in the car for a while inwardly praying to the Holy Spirit to calm them down. Then they found themselves leading to the Church as the service was about to start. During the peace offering both felt goose bumps. The wife turned to her husband, pressed her cheeks on his and whispered “I’m sorry, Dear” and pressed his hands. They husband did the same. They looked at each other endearingly. There was sweetness in the reconciliation and in the embrace.
The Holy Spirit worked off their burdens and their hearts thoroughly cleansed.
Indeed, there is wisdom in what St. John the Cross said: “The soul that journeys to God but does not shake off its cares and burdens is like the one who drags his cart uphill.”
The Holy Spirit provides the panacea. He is the Paraclete, the Comforter, and the Third Person in the Holy Trinity.