C: Pentecost Sunday (9 June 2019) - CREATING A SPIRIT-FILLED ATMOSPHERE (Jn 20:19-23)

We celebrate today Pentecost Sunday, or better known as the mystery of the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and Mary. This doctrinal truth is based on the scriptural passage of our First Reading (Acts 2:1-11) when the disciples of Jesus received the Holy Spirit in the form of tongues of fire, prompting them to go out into the open and speak before a large crowd of pilgrims in Jerusalem. This marks the beginning of a mass Christian conversion, numbering to 3,000 people, with their instant baptism into the faith (Acts 2:42).

However, this is not the first time that it happened in the NT. Earlier, as described in our Gospel (Jn 20:19-23), the Resurrected Jesus appeared to his disciples, and before departing, gave them the Holy Spirit via his momentous breathing on them. This act also inaugurates their formal commissioning as intermediaries of God’s message of forgiveness: “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them” (Jn 20:23).

If we intend, then, to receive likewise the same gift, we should learn from these two incidents, creating, subsequently, a similar atmosphere that would be conducive for the advent of the Holy Spirit. I can identify three behavioral particularities in these two events that are worth emulating into our own situations.

Common Meal

On these two occasions, the disciples of Jesus were gathered together in one room (Jn 20:19; Acts 2:1), primarily out of fear of the Jews who had clamored for Jesus’ death. Convening for the festivities had been part already of their regular routine. Mosaic laws would require that at least ten men are physically mustered in the memorial liturgy of a Passover, and even in regular Sabbath meetings and festivals. At most times, this congregation is centered not only in prayer and in the reading of the Scriptures, but also in meals. This practice has been continued from the early beginnings of Christianity unto our present times. In our own context, we need to ask ourselves: Do we dine together, or do we content ourselves with an individualized schedule of eating? Do we go to church as a family, or do we just allow each one to practice their own (ir)religion? Do we regularly convene in the living room for some light moments, or do we relax at home with the constant distraction of social media, television, and techy gadgets?

Communicative Manner

The Spirit’s coming happened with an awesome air of sanctity as Jesus directly breathed on his disciples (Jn 20:22). Meanwhile, a strong wind from heaven (Acts 2:2) enveloped the Upper Room when the Spirit descended upon the disciples. Interestingly, the setting is not just the mere availability of breathable oxygen, rather, it is more of the atmosphere of permeability where air can freely pass. Indeed, the wind can only blow when windows are opened and passages are clear. Even if doors are momentarily closed, an open window allows any possible transformation to happen. Such was the case with the disciples who were initially hiding but were later emboldened by the Spirit to proclaim their faith. Similarly, we should also confront ourselves: Do we allow the air of true dialogue to happen in our own communities? Do we recognize that each one (even the uneducated, unexperienced, and sinful ones) has a voice needed to be heard? Do we talk sincerely and are willing to listen in return?

Communal Mission

In lieu of the Ascension scene which is detailed in the Synoptics, the breathing of the Spirit by the Resurrected Christ is considered the commissioning episode in the Gospel of John. This is manifested in Jesus’ words: “As the Father sent me, so am I sending you” (Jn 20:21). The realization of this mandate, however, came during the Pentecost when the disciples began to preach their faith to all, regardless of ethnicity and provenance, who, in turn, remarked: “We hear them preaching in our own language about the marvels of God” (Acts 2:11). Performing a mission is truly scary and tension-filled. But it is the disciples’ friendly company that emboldened Peter to be their spokesperson (Acts 2:14). Likewise, Jesus frequently assures his disciples of his peaceful comforting presence (Jn 1:14; 20:19; cf. Mt 28:20). In the same vein, we must challenge ourselves: Do we help each other in our quotidian struggles to holiness, or do we just worry about our own concerns? Do we become instruments of God in drawing the world to Him, or do we act as hurdles along the way? Do we pray for universal salvation?

- Rex Fortes, CM