Pentecost Sunday 2022

(Reflection for SVD web page – Michael Hardie SVD)

With the arrival of Pentecost Sunday, our Easter journey is almost over. The concept of Pentecost as a culmination of the spiritual journey from Resurrection to the gathering in the upper room, and the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the reluctant disciples, rather than simply an awe-inspiring theophany, is intimated in John’s Gospel as the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to the disciples, that The Advocate will come and remain with the fledgling Church for all time.

Of the four evangelists, John alone speaks of the Spirit as the Paraclete (or, ‘advocate’ as it is commonly translated). Normally, ‘advocate’ is best known in the legal profession as bearing the  connotation of defence lawyer, but in his farewell discourse with his disciples, Jesus moves away from such associations to speak of ‘another Advocate’ – one who will be an abiding presence, a teacher of the truth, God’s Holy Spirit.

We have come a long way since Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection. Indeed, we have come a long way from the beginning of it all, when God’s Word came to us in time, as John recounts in the first chapter of his Gospel: "In the beginning was the Word, the Word was God, and the Word was with God. He was with God in the beginning, and through him all things came to be." John’s profound theology gives us a glimpse into the Spiritual origins of the universe. Note there is no mention of suns and planets, of stars and universes, simply the abiding presence of God's Spirit. It is this Spirit which we celebrate on Pentecost Sunday.

Throughout the Easter season the readings from the Acts of the Apostles have engaged us on a daily basis with the founding stories of the early Christian communities, and the formation of what we now know as Church. The theme of ‘Holy Spirit’ has been a constant throughout the readings. We have been privileged to have travelled with Paul and Barnabas on their post-pentecostal journeys from Jerusalem and Judea to the towns and cities of Asia Minor, Greece, Turkey and finally Rome, sharing with them their joys as thousands heard God’s Word and became baptised; sharing, too, their pain as they were doubted, stoned, ridiculed and imprisoned. But the final outcome of their endeavours was always the same – God’s Word was with them, lifting them up, accompanying them along every dusty mile, in fulfillment of that promise in the Upper Room. 

Our Easter journey is complete, but our journey of faith continues. The brilliance of the Resurrection continues to illuminate our lives, especially in times when we, too, are doubtful of the meaning of who we are and what we are called to do – just as the disciples sometimes were. God’s Spirit of Pentecost will give us the necessary strength until our journeys are done.