Acts 2: 1-11; 1 Corinthians 12: 3b-7. 12-13;
John 20: 19-23
Last week, we read the conclusion of Matthew's Gospel. Do you recall the words? “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28: 19-20) Today in Acts we hear that command put into action. From Luke's writings, we can see how the Twelve and their followers, with the strength and guidance of the Holy Spirit, took the good news of the resurrection to the world.
In Acts we hear that on Pentecost the Apostles received the Holy Spirit and tongues of fire came to rest on them. They were heard speaking many different languages. Each person present heard Peter and the others speaking in their own native tongue. I can't help but see a parallel between this and Vatican II, when it was decreed that the mass should be spoken in the language of the people. Finally we could hear and understand more clearly the universal prayer of the church. I'm sure there are some who prefer the Latin mass – and there are some available here in town if that is what you are looking for. But I believe that the vast majority of people prefer to hear the mass in their first language.
Following the first Pentecost, the Apostles and their followers took Jesus' words to heart and traveled far and wide proclaiming the gospel. Some even took the time to write down and preserve these teachings. These writings make up what we know today as the New Testament.
We don't know exact dates, but historians estimate that the apostle John died in about the year 98 AD – 60 some-odd years after the first Pentecost. He was the last of the original twelve, and the only one to die of natural causes. All of the others – Peter and Andrew, James and Matthew, Thomas and the rest – they were all martyred will spreading the word of Christ.
St. John witnessed a lot of changes in those 60 years. At the first Pentecost, all of those who believed were Jewish and lived in and around Jerusalem. But that wouldn't last long. St. Paul took the good news to the Gentile people and they too became followers of the cross. By the turn of the century, there were Christian communities in Greece, Turkey, Russia, India, Northern Africa, Italy, Spain, France, perhaps even Great Britain - all in the span of about 60 years! The Apostles could not have possibly foreseen the results.
From that first day of Pentecost forward, the Holy Spirit has guided the actions of people of God and the direction of the church. It did not always go smoothly. The book of Acts tells us of an early conflict between the Jewish faithful and the Gentiles who were joining the church. And so the faith communities sent representatives to Jerusalem to discuss and debate the situation. This is remembered as the Council of Jerusalem.
Fifty-eight years ago, our faith community of St. Gabriel was established. I'm quite certain that the early parishioners did not foresee the many changes that have taken place here. The biggest and most obvious change is the church building itself. But there have been others as well. We've had our own Council – Vatican II – and all of the changes that came with it. Not all of them were warmly embraced. I'll never forget the day – it was Sunday morning - my parents had just returned home from church – and my father was in a foul mood. He walked into the house, kicked the dog, yelled at me to get a haircut, and told my brother to clean up his room NOW. After he was out of earshot, I asked my mother what was wrong. She told me that Dad was upset because there was a woman lector in church that morning! At the time, I couldn't understand what the big deal was. But it was a big deal to my father. Over time he came to accept the situation. Today we have female lectors, servers, sacristans, and Eucharistic ministers. Thanks to Vatican II we have seen the reestablishment of the Perminant Diaconate. All of these things are good and our church is the better for them.
Later this year, we will see another change – the New Roman Missal will go into effect. There are some changes that will be easy to incorporate. Others may take some getting used to. I've heard a few complaints – even one or two hostile remarks. I choose to believe that the Holy Spirit has had a hand in this and that the changes will make our worship more meaningful - maybe in ways we cannot even predict at this point.
What will our church look like 60 years from now? I can't even fathom a guess. Some of the changes that will come will be warmly received. Doubtless other changes will cause conflict and controversy, just as they have in the past. I cannot foresee the changes that will come, but I know this much – the Holy Spirit continues to guide us – continues to nudge us in the proper direction. The tongues of fire still burn within the people of God and within our church. May they never be extinguished.
Deacon Darryl J. Diemer
Pentecost
June 12, 2011
