Feel it

Today’s first reading (Acts 2:1-11) has the familiar account of the Holy Spirit’s spectacular descent on the day of Pentecost

And suddenly there came from the sky
a noise like a strong driving wind,
and it filled the entire house in which they were.
Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire,
which parted and came to rest on each one of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit...

Then, in the Gospel (John 20:19-23), we have this:

And when (Jesus) had said this,
he breathed on them
and said to them,
"Receive the Holy Spirit.
Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them,
and whose sins you retain are retained."

These are not conflicting accounts about the time and place in which the Holy Spirit was bestowed upon the Church. As St. Paul says in the second reading (from 1 Corinthians 12)

Now there are diversities of gifts,
but the same Spirit.
And there are differences of administrations,
but the same Lord.
And there are diversities of operations,
but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

The Spirit is given on Pentecost, the Spirit is given immediately after the resurrection, and the Spirit is given at other important moments: with purposes that may be particular to each moment – and yet it is always the same Spirit.

One of the many beautiful and powerful aspects of the giving of the Holy Spirit in today’s Gospel account is the way Christ does it: by breathing on them.

The meaning is unmistakable: the Holy Spirit as the breath of God – a theme that flows throughout both the Old and the New Testament.

Our experience of the Holy Spirit
may not often be the dramatic spectacular of Pentecost,
but by his grace
we may always enjoy
the empowering consolation of the Spirit
in truly recognizing ourselves
as being filled with the breath of God:
God’s life force, God’s Holy Spirit,
an infinitely "strong driving wind"
that billows within every part of us
and that moves us forward to accomplish his will.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.

Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created
And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray. O God, who didst instruct the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise, and ever rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Veni, Sancte Spiritus, reple tuorum corda fidelium, et tui amoris in eis accende.

Emitte Spiritum tuum et creabuntur;
Et renovabis faciem terrae.

Oremus. Deus, qui corda fidelium Sancti Spiritus illustratione docuisti. Da nobis in eodem Spiritu recta sapere, et de eius semper consolatione gaudere. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.