But the one who gives us security with you in Christ
and who anointed us is God;
he has also put his seal upon us
and given the Spirit in our hearts as a first installment.
C onservative Catholics tell a story of Pope Saint Paul VI: that he arrived in the sacristy the morning after Pentecost and was surprised to discover green vestments laid out for him. He had unknowingly cancelled the Octave of Pentecost.
It seems odd that a feast that has risen in importance since the Second Vatican Council is followed only by the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. During the next several days, I want to continue reflecting upon that absolutely necessary presence of Spirit in the life of the Church; and Saint Paul has offered us an excellent thought on that.
Molly Bloom famously finished her forty-page meandering meditation with, "yes, yes, yes, yes." Raised a Catholic without any great devotion to its mysteries, and given to -- shall we say? -- "adventures," in the wee hours of the morning she arrived at delight in her rather dull husband, Howard Bloom. Yes to life and love and joy and boredom and excitement and the whole catastrophe of being human.
...the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was proclaimed to you...was not "yes" and "no," but "yes" has been in him.For however many are the promises of God, their Yes is in him;therefore, the Amen from us also goes through him to God for glory.
The joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the men of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted, these are the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the followers of Christ. Indeed, nothing genuinely human fails to raise an echo in their hearts. (Gaudium et Spes)
A fearful, suspicious approach to life is hair-trigger ready to say, "No. I don't care to. I don't want to. I don't think so. Not if I can help it. Thanks, but no thanks." Some people habitually decline invitations and opportunities; their minds are set; their doors are closed. They have seen enough when they've seen almost nothing. We can't blame them; and we have to respect their decisions along with their integrity as human beings. But no one has to live that way.
I have just celebrated my fiftieth anniversary of priesthood, along with many family, friends, and friars. And danced a two-step for the first time in twenty years! I feel renewed, refreshed, and ready for another fifty years.
Celebrations , whether their focus is on us or something more important, are about renewing our joy and reengaging the Holy Spirit. The entire Easter season, which began with Ash Wednesday and concluded on Pentecost, should have brought us to life again. But it's not too late for Saint Paul has reminded us, Our Yes is in Him.
Or as Gerard Manley Hopkins wrote, "...because the Holy Ghost over the bent / world broods with warm breast and, ah! bright wings." God's Grandeur
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.