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Sunday, May 30, 2004

Meditation
John 20:19-23

Pentecost

On this great day of celebration, we are brought back to the upper room to be with the disciples when they first met the risen Jesus. John tells us that when Jesus came to them, he showed them his hands and side, and that this is what caused the disciples to rejoice (John 20:20). There was something about seeing Jesus’ wounds—now glorified—that pierced their hearts.

We don’t have to look too hard to identify the work of the Holy Spirit here. It was the Spirit who showed the disciples that Jesus didn’t just come back from the dead but that he had defeated death and had been declared Lord of heaven and earth. And this revelation filled them with joy and excitement. By the Spirit, they realized that because of Jesus’ wounds, they too could be filled with divine life, just as Jesus their Master was.

This is the kind of revelation that the Holy Spirit wants to give all of us. This is what Pentecost is all about. Whenever we pray, whenever we go to Mass, the Spirit wants to reveal Jesus to us in an exciting and ever-deepening way. He wants to break down the walls in our hearts that keep us trapped in a narrow, shallow understanding of Jesus and his plan for us. And he does this so that he can form us into a people so on fire with love for him that we would risk anything for him.

We don’t have to fear the Holy Spirit. He may come in fire, but only to burn away the things that keep us from seeing Jesus. We can carry so much “baggage” in our hearts—fears, anxieties, and resentments that keep us from Jesus. By the power of Jesus’ cross, the Holy Spirit wants to lighten our load so that we can embrace Jesus as our just and loving Savior who wants the very best for us.

“Jesus, I want to be aflame with love for you. I want to rejoice in you just as the apostles did. Holy Spirit, burn away everything that keeps me from your presence. Come, Spirit, and give me a new revelation of Jesus.”