The Gift of the Holy Spirit

Homily for the Solemnity of Pentecost

Today’s readings begin with a brief and apparently simple account of the Pentecost story. It is simple on one level because it tells a story that is easily grasped. There is, however, complexity in the story because of its allusions. Both wind and fire are symbols for the divine presence. The ability of the apostles to speak in the languages of the many pilgrims that have come to Jerusalem begs to be compared with the story of the Tower of Babel. In that story men are climbing and building together in defiance of God, to usurp God’s power, and their language becomes confused so that they can no longer communicate – all significant representation of deep alienation. In the Pentecost story, people are gathered, aware of their alienation and their helplessness in the face of evil, praying in acknowledgment of their total dependence on God. In that context the divine presence descends upon them, empowering them and restoring their ability to communicate across all the barriers that have been created by a sinful history.

This does not exhaust the allusions that make the story significant for subsequent Christians. The fire that descends upon the disciples individually is reminiscent of the pillar of fire that led the Israelites in the desert, of the flaming Bush that Moses had seen on the mountain, of the fiery chariot that carried Elijah to heaven, and of the burning coal that purified the lips of Isaiah that he might prophesy. This recurrent theme of God as fire has two aspects: the fire can either purify and enhance, or it can destroy. It represents both redemptive mercy and inescapable judgment. The fire is complemented by that of the mighty rushing wind recalling the theme of creation by the breath of God. In this passage, therefore, the mighty rushing wind is certainly intended to say that something new and wonderful is coming to pass by the power of God, newly quickening human persons who had been, as it were, dead.

The reading from St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians emphasizes the consequences of empowerment by the Spirit. It is the Spirit that enables otherwise timid and evasive people to acknowledge wholeheartedly the paradox that the crucified Jesus is Lord. It is the Spirit that so relativizes personal ambitions and insecurities, that believers are able to recognize and call forth one another’s gifts, recognizing their complementarity without envy or anxiety.

Appropriately, the reading from St. John’s Gospel presents the risen Jesus as a bringer of peace. He has brought this peace not for his immediate disciples only but so that he may send them as the Father has sent him, to bring that peace to the whole world. In this account it is not the mighty rushing wind that comes like a mysterious force from the transcendent holiness of God. Here it is rather the personal and intimate breath of Jesus in which the spirit of God is communicated to them, re-creating, inspiring, and empowering them for the great mission of reconciliation.

On this particular Pentecost Sunday, as we call upon the Holy Spirit to descend upon us, we must also grapple with the report that has been filed by the Atty. Gen. of the State of Illinois about sexual misconduct and abuse of minors by Catholic clergy. Some have asked: “Will this story ever go away.” While I am sure that this is what we all wish for, we must also come to the realization that such a great betrayal by the ones in whom we have placed our trust will continue for generations to come.

The news media was quick to pick up this story and retell it yet again. However, careful reading of this report reveals that most of this has already been reported before. What the news media did not report was that on page 634 of the 700 page report, the Atty. Gen. makes a significant statement, and I quote: “Since the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) released the Dallas Charter in 2002, the church in general, and the Illinois Dioceses in particular, have made great strides regarding child sex abuse prevention, investigation, disclosure, and survivor healing.” Yes, there is still more to do. Yes, we must do everything in our power to protect our children. Bishop Ronald Hicks, the ordinary of the Diocese of Joliet, has pledged that every allegation will be thoroughly investigated, and if credible, the offender will be excluded from the ministerial life of this local church.

If this report from the Atty. Gen. of the State of Illinois has taught us anything, it is that we cannot cease to pray for priests, and we cannot cease in our efforts to prevent, to investigate, and to help those who have survived this criminal, immoral, and sick conduct. This past Tuesday, our bishop gathered all of the priests of the diocese through a Zoom meeting and asked each of us to discuss this topic on the coming Sunday. Sr. Joyce Shanabarger, the General Superior of the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart, has also directed me to tell you of this report. If you have any further questions, I ask that you discuss them with me and not with the sisters themselves. Sr. Joyce has also directed the sisters not to engage in any conversation about this topic so that the information that you receive will come from one source. While I regret that that source must be me, I humbly ask that you respect this request.