Pentecost : Homily / Sermon

Jesus breathed on them and said: ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’. (John 20:22)

When people talk about the Holy Spirit, especially in modern times, the image we are given is of something exciting, something random, something unpredictable. We think of the wind passing through the Upper Room at Pentecost. The spirit which (in the words of St Paul) “blows where it wills”.
It is associated with unexpected events, conversions, healings, visions and miracles, speaking in tongues, enthusiasm, prophecy, the power of inspiration, the intensity of prayer and meditation. It means so very much to some Christians, and
there is nothing at all wrong with that. At times we surely need imagination and a challenge.

But others of us are perhaps not so enthusiastic about all the enthusiasm. We feel uncomfortable and the claims and practices of the charismatics and pentecostalists, perhaps suspect the genuineness of the great wonders, and are of rthe opinion that, rather like the excitements of youth, this zeal and fervour cannot last for ever.

Yet the unpredictable, random wind is not the only image of the Holy Spirit which Scripture gives us.

In today’s Gospel we are reminded that the Spirit is also breath - the breath of God - and breath is at the same time a life force - so, very powerful - but also a regular, predictable, necessity of life. As breath it has structure and regularity. And while the wind is exciting and unpredictable, it is also abstract, dispassionate power. But breath - well, there no breath without a breather. Breath implies a life, a personality, a will, a purpose: it is much more than a force, or a power: it is a living person.

And it is by the action of the Holy Spirit that we receive the very foundations of our faith. The very world is created through him. Christ is conceived through him. The words of the prophets, the letters of the scripture are inspired by him. Through the power of the spirit we enter into Christian life at baptism and confirmation. His gifts sustain our lives. He guides us in goodness and comforts us in adversity. Through the spirit we have the ordained ministers of the Church, the creeds and teachings of the faith, the life of prayer and the glories of liturgy and worship.

It is the Spirit which gives us the very pillars of our faith, Scripture and Tradition, Pope, Bishop and Priest, the life of prayer and faith, compassion and creed.

Yes, the Spirit can pass through and over every boundary, every limit, every fence and wall; and he also provides us with every true path, with every framework and all guidance. He teaches us, protects and guides us. He comforts us, strengthens us, and unites us.