“If I cannot receive the gifts of the Spirit in silence, I cannot receive them in any other way.” (Madeleine L’Engle)
It’s hard to be silent when natural disasters, mass shootings in US schools and shopping centers, Covid-19, and wars are responsible for so many deaths. Contrasting these stressors, Jesus’ Easter blessing “Peace be with you” is echoed on this Pentecost Sunday. The Risen Christ continues to share the gift of peace. Pentecost, the third glorious mystery of the Rosary, invites us to be renewed in the Holy Spirit, first received at baptism. On May 31st, we remembered the peaceful and joyful encounter of two Spirit-filled expectant cousins, Mary visiting Elizabeth, the second joyful mystery of the Rosary.
Pentecost is the church’s birthday in a time of great crisis. As Christians, our mission is still to promote peace and unity amid our diversity. At that first Pentecost, each one heard the apostles speaking in their own language. Do we reach out to other believers who are different from us not just because of language barriers? Let’s pray with the psalmist for openness, peace, and more spiritual gifts: Lord, send out your Spirit and renew the face of the earth. Amen! Alleluia!