The disciples gathered on the fiftieth day after the Resurrection were not keeping their first Pentecost. For them, Pentecost was the fiftieth day after Passover, a feast of the first fruits of the harvest. It was the second most important feast of the year. Today, Jews gather on the eve of the feast to study scripture and the law, and after the feast begins at sundown, spend the day in joyful social gatherings. The meaning of the celebration is the giving of the law on Mount Sinai, so for Christians the connection to the gifts of the Holy Spirit is obvious.

In Sicily and in the Pantheon in Rome, today the descent of the Holy Spirit is enacted with a stunning ritual. Some churches there have an “eye” in the roof open to the sky, called an oculus. After the Gospel today, thousands of rose petals fall from the oculus onto the assembly. Churches and homes are decked in greenery and flowers to express the new life the Holy Spirit brings on this, the “birthday of the church.”

-Rev. James Field

© J. S. Paluch Co.

If Pentecost celebrates the gifts of the Spirit, it can tempt us to separate the Spirit from the Father and Jesus. Sometimes we think of the Father as the God of the Old Testament, Jesus as center of New Testament, and the Spirit as God of the present age, almost as if the Father and Jesus were enjoying their retirement. Actually, all three persons share one God-life. Instead of three gods debating the fate of the universe, we have one God who is over all and in all.

The Spirit has been active in all ages. The prophets were empowered by the Spirit to proclaim God’s word to Israel. Jesus was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit led Jesus into the desert at the beginning of his ministry. (Search the word “spirit” in the four gospels and it appears 75 times.) Jesus was filled with the Spirit as he preached and worked miracles. Then at Pentecost the disciples were filled with the Spirit.

So what about Pentecost?

It is really about using our gifts and sharing the good news. The Spirit gives us the power, courage, and energy to do this. The Spirit’s gifts are meant to be shared. The prophets could not help proclaim God’s message. Jesus shared all he knew with his disciples. The disciples went out to the world to spread the news of Jesus’ death and resurrection. So we, too, are given gifts to be shared.

The greatest gift we have been given is the news of our salvation. This feast reminds us to share that with others. We may do that by example, as when we worship together, forgive others, give to the poor or help someone in need. We can also share that news by teaching our children about God and his love for them, teaching them to pray, or sharing our faith with other adults. As we come to realize how much God has done for us and how close he is to us, we will want to share that with others. Obviously, we can’t make everyone believe in Jesus. But how sad would it be if someone we know was looking for the truth and we neglected to offer it?

-Tom Schmidt

© J. S. Paluch Co.

“In order to sustain dialogue with Islam, suitable training is essential for all involved, not only so that they can be solidly and joyfully grounded in their own identity, but so that they can also acknowledge the values of others, appreciate the concerns underlying their demands, and shed light on shared beliefs. We Christians should embrace with affection and respect Muslim immigrants to our countries in the same way that we hope and ask to be received and respected in countries of Islamic tradition. I ask and humbly entreat those countries to grant Christians freedom to worship and practice their faith, in light of the freedom which follows of Islam enjoy in western countries. Faced with disconcerting episodes of violent fundamentalism, our respect for true followers of Islam should lead us to avoid hateful generalizations, for authentic Islam and proper reading of the Koran are opposed to every form of violence.”

We wish all mothers a very happy Mother’s Day!

From Sunday, May 13, through Monday, May 21, we will remember at dailyMass all mothers, living and deceased, in our Mother’s Day Novena.

We take this special occasion to say “thank you” and pray that God will always cherish those who gave us life.

On this Mothers’ Day, the Friars and Staff of St. Francis, wish all Mothers, Grandmothers, Great Grandmothers, and the Motherly, a blessed and happy day. Our prayers are with you and we are grateful for all that you do for us.

Please keep us Friars in your prayers. At the end of this month our six Provinces (geographical areas in the United States) will vote on whether to become one Province or not. It is a big decision. Your prayers are appreciated!

-Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M.