[Acts 2:1-11; 1 Cor. 12:3b-7, 12-13; Jn.
20:19-23]
Feast of Pentecost is believed
to be the oldest feast in the Church. The story of Pentecost dates back to the
first century A.D. It coincided with the Jewish Feast of Weeks, which occurs 50
days after the Passover (Deuteronomy 16:10). According to Jewish tradition,
the Ten Commandments were given to Moses 50 days after the first Passover, which freed the Hebrews from their bondage in Egypt. As the Hebrews settled into Canaan, the feast became a time to honor the Lord for blessing the fruits of their labors. Since this Jewish holiday took place at the same time of the Pentecost, many Jewish Christians appropriated its celebration into their Christian commemoration of the coming of the Spirit.
the Ten Commandments were given to Moses 50 days after the first Passover, which freed the Hebrews from their bondage in Egypt. As the Hebrews settled into Canaan, the feast became a time to honor the Lord for blessing the fruits of their labors. Since this Jewish holiday took place at the same time of the Pentecost, many Jewish Christians appropriated its celebration into their Christian commemoration of the coming of the Spirit.
According to book of Acts, the Church came into being on the day of Pentecost. As 120 worshipers, including the Disciples, were fasting and praying in an upper room in Jerusalem, the Holy Spirit descended upon them in a violent rushing wind that was heard throughout the city. Small flames of fire rested upon their heads, and they began to speak in other languages. As crowds came to investigate the commotion, the Apostle Peter spoke to them about Jesus and exhorted them to repent. From the crowd of Jews and converts, 3,000 realized the truth of his words and became followers of Jesus.
For Christians, the
celebration of Pentecost imparts faith, hope, a sharing of community, and an
awareness of a purpose much greater than themselves.
First of
all, the coming of the Spirit strengthened the faith of the small group of people
who were fasting and praying in an
upper room in Jerusalem. The Gospels present all these men as men of
little faith. When the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water, they
were terrified. On realizing that it was Jesus, Peter requested Jesus to allow
him to walk to Him. Peter set foot on the water and proceeded, but soon he
began to sink. Thomas wanted to touch the wounds of Jesus to believe. All the
disciples disappeared from the scene of Jesus’ crucifixion. These men of little
faith were empowered by the Holy Spirit to bear witness to Jesus. Peter, whose
doubt made him sink, stood before the crowd and announced the message of Jesus.
Thomas who wanted to touch the wounds of Jesus travelled to the Far
East and embraced martyrdom to bear witness to Jesus.
Today, as we commemorate the
event of the empowering the disciples and the early Christians, the church
admonishes us to strengthen our faith too. Often we hear people say, “My belief
is fifty percent.” Or “my belief is ninety percent.” But belief cannot be fifty
percent or ninety percent. We either believe or do not. When the belief is
strong anything is possible. That is what the story of Pentecost, the life of
the Apostles, and the community of the early Christians teaches us.
There is a story in Indian
tradition. A certain holy man wanted to live an isolated life away from
the hazels of the world and spent time in silence and meditation. So he chose
an island in river Ganges. For a few days he lived there unnoticed. Slowly the
boatmen became aware of human presence in that island. They spread the news
that a holy man lived in solitude in the island. Hearing this people
began to bring him food, and sought his blessings. Monsoon came, and water
began to rise in the Ganges. As water kept on rising the flow of devotees to
the island came down. Slowly and steadily water rose and the island began to
submerge. People persuaded the holy man to leave the island, but he refused.
Almost all the people except a little girl who brought him milk everyday, stopped
coming to the island. One day, the holy man met the little girl and asked her,
what made her bring milk though all the other people stopped coming to the
island. She said that it was her father’s last wish that she
should provide milk to him. Since she had promised it to her
father she could not break it. The water in the river rose very high and
boatmen refused to take her to the cottage any more. So she told the holy man
that she would not be able to feed him anymore, and she persuaded him to
leave the island. But he refused then she asked him how she could reach him
with milk. He said, “Recite the name of God, and come.” The next day when the
holy man got up, he found milk at his door steps. Water rose further and
he too decided to leave the island. He waited for the girl to come so that
he would leave the island with her. The next day when she came he told her to
take him, too, with her in the boat. She said, “I don’t have a boat.”
“How did you come?” asked the
holy man.
She said, “I recited the name
of God, as advised by you and walked to your hut”
“That’s all,” asked the holy
man.
The girl replied, “That’s
all.”
“Then, I am coming with you,”
said the holy man. He packed up his belongings, folded his garb and set his
foot on the water, reciting the name of God. But, to his surprise he began to
sink. He asked the little girl, “You are walking on the water, but I am
sinking. Why is it?”
She replied, “O Lord, you
asked me to believe, and I believed in your words. But, you folded your garb
before setting foot on the water.”
The faith of the apostles was
no weaker because the Spirit had strengthened their belief. Their belief was so
strong that all those who listened to them were captivated by them. Their
listeners in Galilee, Samaria and other regions began to follow them.
Secondly, the Spirit empowered
the Apostles to translate their belief into action. They bore witness to
what they believed. They undertook the journey that they thought was
impossible. They had a dream, and they toiled to achieve their dream.
“I Tried to Climb the Mountain Today” gives a beautiful message.
I tried to climb the mountain today. As I inched my way up the path, I felt overwhelmed, so I had to turn back.
I tried
to climb the mountain today. On my journey, darkness started to fall, and I was
full of fear, so I had to return to a safe place.
I was
ready to climb the mountain today. But it was so hot outside, I thought I
better stay in my nice air-conditioned house and rest up for tomorrow's
attempt.
I was
about to climb the mountain today. But I had so many other things to do, so
instead of climbing the mountain I took care of much more important tasks.
I washed
my car, mowed the grass and watched the big game. Today the mountain will just
have to wait.
I was going
to climb the mountain today. But as I stared at the mountain in its majestic
beauty, I knew I stood no chance of making it to the top, so I figured why even
bother trying.
I have
forgotten about climbing the mountain today; until a friend came by and asked
me what I was up to lately. I told him I was thinking about climbing that
mountain someday.
I went on
and on about how I was going to accomplish this task.
Finally,
he said, "I just got back from climbing the mountain. For the longest time
I told myself I was trying to climb the mountain but never made any progress.
I almost
let the dream of making it to the top die. I came up with every excuse of why I
could not make it up the mountain, but never once did I give myself a reason
why I could.
One day
as I stared at the mountain and pondered, I realized that if I didn't make an
attempt at this dream all my dreams will eventually die."
"The
next morning, I started my climb." He continued, "It was not easy,
and at times I wanted to quit. But no matter what I faced, I placed one foot in
front of the other, keeping a steady pace.
When the
wind tried to blow me over the edge, I kept walking.
When the
voices inside my head screamed "stop!" I focused on my goal never
letting it out of sight, and I kept moving forward.
At times,
I was ready to quit, but I knew I had come too far.
Time and
time again, I reassured myself that I was going to finish this journey.
I
struggled to make it to the top, but I climbed the mountain!"
"I
have to be going," my friend said. "Tomorrow is a new day to
accomplish more dreams.
By the
way, what are you going to do tomorrow?"
I looked
at him, with intensity and confidence in my eyes, and said, "I have a
mountain to climb."
We have our dreams and goals. We have that
mountain to climb. Instead of getting busy climbing it we come up with every
excuse not to do it.
Today, on the Feast of Pentecost, let us also
begin our journey with the spirit.
It's not enough to have a
dream,
Unless you're willing to pursue it.
Unless you're willing to pursue it.
It's not enough to know
what's right,
Unless you're strong enough to do it.
Unless you're strong enough to do it.
It's not enough to learn
the truth,
Unless you also learn to live it.
Unless you also learn to live it.
It's not enough to reach
for love,
Unless you care enough to give it.
Unless you care enough to give it.
Satish