Sunday Reflection with Fr Robin Gibbons 15 May 2016 - Pentecost

Pentecost May 15th 2016

What does Pentecost mean to you? I've asked myself that question over the past ten days, trying to see put myself in that upper room with the disciples. What I begin to understand is the stark reality that these people were frightened, closed in, yes psychologically and literally, not wanting to face the outside world and fearful of it, and yet the command of their Lord was to 'go out' to the ends of the earth and proclaim the Good News'!

So often in the Gospels Jesus tell his followers not to be afraid, to trust and follow him, yet even after his death and resurrection when we expect better of them when faced with the task they remain frozen in inactivity. There seems to be a similar problem in the Church today, it depends on who you talk to, frequently negative words like, 'irrelevant', 'out of touch', 'privileged', 'clerical' and 'tired'- occur in the media, whilst internally our churches often find themselves in dispute about morality, doctrine and ministry!

So, I ask myself, why are the Community of Christ's Disciples like this, frozen, maybe deep down even afraid of what the Lord is calling us to do? It is my own belief that in Europe the Church is undergoing a necessary transformation, just as happened at the first Pentecost. For despite our best efforts at remaining in our own upper rooms, the Spirit of God is calling us, pushing us, forcing us to face change and new growth.

But we have to believe in God's gracious love and our calling. We are not moribund or dead! I can honestly say that what I keep discovering now is something that I was taught as a young Benedictine monk, that in the end 'nothing can be put before the love of Christ'. And yes, the Church of Christ in all its different communities still shows that love of Christ in action.

That to me is what Pentecost is all about, how that merciful compassionate love of Christ can be found and understood by all people. The gifts of the Spirit are given to us, whoever we are, to become the best we can be! Pentecost is about trust and acceptance. Trust that God will fulfill the promises made, acceptance of the gifts given to us. Pentecost calls us out to uncertainty and change but it also assures us that the Gospel will be heard everywhere!

Orthodox Prayer to the Holy Spirit.

Heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of truth, everywhere present and filling all things, Treasury of blessings and Giver of Life, come and dwell in us; cleanse us of every stain and save our souls, gracious One.

Fr Robin Gibbons is an Eastern Rite Chaplain for the Melkite Greek Catholics in Britain