19.05.2024 – Villanueva del Arzobispo – Iznatoraf (Jaén)

Lord, send forth your Spirit and renew the face of the earth

Acts 2:1-11, Psalm 103, Galatians 5:16-25, John 14:15-16; 23-26

Today we celebrate the feast of Pentecost. It is celebrated exactly 50 days after Easter. It marks the fulfilment of the Risen and Ascended Jesus’ promise to his disciples, the sending of the Holy Spirit. It also marks what we could describe as the definitive birth of the Church and Mission. And it brings an end to the entire Easter season.

In today´s second reading the apostle Paul contrasts life according to the flesh with life according to the Spirit. He states clearly that those who live by the flesh are known by their fruits: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. On the contrast those who live according to the Spirit of God bear fruits such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Whenever we live according to God´s commandments, whenever we strive to be faithful to our Christian calling, God´s spirit is alive in us. This is exactly what Jesus tells his disciples in today´s Gospel. While he was still with them he taught them so many things about the way of God, the road to salvation and the mission ahead of them but as he returns to the Father, it is the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in his name, that will teach them (disciples, the Church) everything, and remind them of all that he had said to them.

The Holy Spirit is the companion that we all need. The Holy Spirit not only prompts us, He reminds us about the way of the Gospel and animates us not just in practicing them but also in transmitting it to others. God’s Spirit is always alive in the human heart. However, just as the Holy Spirit was bestowed on the disciples on Pentecost, each of us have been given the Holy Spirit especially at our Baptism and Confirmation. But we need to consciously fan into flame this gift of the Holy Spirit. Whenever we exercise our charisms, when we are loyal to a demanding partner, console the bereaved, give bread to the hungry, support the old or encourage the young, we are being led by the Spirit. The Spirit is there, wherever life is graciously received and the duties of each day are carried out.

Today the Psalmist prays: “Lord, send out your Spirit and renew the face of the earth.” In our world torn apart by ravages of war, conflicts, divisions, hates and all forms of strife, the Church prays with the Psalmist that God may send his spirit to renew the hearts of men. Humanity is at its best in today’s first reading (Acts 2:1-11) which recounts the events of that first Pentecost in Jerusalem. Pentecost brought about a wonderful bonding of people from all over the Roman Empire. They were united in admiring and praising the marvels of God. In spite of differences of language and culture there was a real communion among them. Wherever communion of heart and mind exist among people of different backgrounds, the Holy Spirit is at work.

Lord, send forth your Spirit and renew the face of the earth