I suspect I am not alone in occasionally wondering what it would have been like to have been present during a Biblical event. Sometimes I try to imagine the details of what occurred, the people there, and so forth. This wondering is actually prayer, even though it arises from the imagination. In fact, St. Ignatius of Loyola suggested the usage of our imagination when we pray with Scripture because our imagination is a gift from God, and through it, He can communicate insights about our faith. But even if we are simply doing a bit of prayerful daydreaming, imagining what an event would have been like is a good practice. To spend time immersing ourselves in passages of the Bible is a great way to open our minds and hearts to what God wants to reveal. Therefore, as we approach Pentecost it would be good to wonder about, reflect upon, or if you prefer, do some ‘holy imagining,’ of what it would have been like to have been in the Upper Room along with the apostles and Mary for the days leading up to the descent of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps feelings varied during those days of seclusion due to the unknown time of the event to come. But whatever it was like, I think it is fair to say that what got them through it were two things: the assurance from Jesus that the Holy Spirit would indeed come, and that they were in it together as a community. There is more than just power in numbers: there is also peace.

The Ascension of Jesus was followed nine days later by Pentecost * and so the period of seclusion during those days would have indeed been rather challenging. Remember that there were many people crowded into that Upper Room: “… there was a group of about one hundred and twenty persons in the one place.” (Acts 1:15) These sequestered people had to eat and drink, and therefore a few of them must have been going and coming somewhat surreptitiously to the market to get what they needed, perhaps with their faces covered for protection. Others had to be preparing the meals and doing the work to keep house, perhaps ‘sanitizing.’ Remember, the Jews had strict laws about cleansing, of which Jesus emphasized the spirit of the law rather than the letter, but it still would have been part of their cultural upbringing to wash hands, feet, and utensils, (hopefully not all at the same time.) But in all of this, they prayed together as a group and also individually. In other words, when the Pentecost event happened this group was both the first domestic church and the first members of The Church. During all that time, they no doubt worried a little, wondered about the future, gave each other encouragement and strength in their faith, and in general supported one another in the seclusion of their ‘home.’ In that period of prayer and mutual support, their hearts were ready however, because they found peace and love shared among the community who were gathered. Once that love and peace were at a zenith, it was clear that the time of the Spirit was nigh.

Remember that the Holy Spirit has been described as the Love which unites the Father and the Son in a mutual and continual exchange. ** Therefore it is not a stretch to say that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon them came when God saw that their hearts were at their most ready and had begun to overflow. Their hearts and minds opened, and the Love which filled them, and then overflowed, found its expression in joy beyond description, resulting in a unity of languages such that there were no barriers: all those diverse people gathered in Jerusalem for the Jewish religious holiday of Pentecost understood. The Church, a community of believers, was born in Love and a joy and peace which are indeed otherworldly. Today, as the spiritual descendants of those first Christians, the Love of God which is the Holy Spirit is always here for us, among us, in us, and with us; it is what binds our Christian community together, and it is at the center of our domestic churches (our families), propelling us outward in service and love, potentially with the same fervor as that which marked the Pentecost event in the first century. 

Therefore, we have much spiritual power at our disposal. Our numbers are far greater than those early believers: through the sacraments, we have been given nothing less than what those first 120 Christians received. As they did, we prepare through prayer, individually and as a community, asking the Spirit to open our minds and hearts, that the gifts we have received would be enlivened and energized. The time is now: let us use the power of love through our own actions of respect, care for the poor and ill, service, stewardship, and mercy. It would be good to read and pray with the Acts of the Apostles, to observe how the church responded after Pentecost, in order to be inspired in our own going forth. But whatever we do, let us remember that we already have the promise of Jesus fulfilled in the coming of the Holy Spirit; that is, we already have the power of Love. We are one Community, One Body of Christ. There is power in numbers: we are in this together, and yes, that Love does lead to peace.

May we pray for the Holy Spirit to come upon us and our world anew! May we make it a practice to immerse ourselves in the Word of God, letting our thoughts and imagination take us past the words on the page and into the Heart of God! And may we be inspired to reach out to all our brothers and sisters, bringing the Gospel to the ends of the earth through our word and deed! Let us continue to meet in the Holy Spirit! Peace!

                                  ©Michele L. Catanese

* In some dioceses around the world, Ascension is celebrated as a Holy Day of Obligation on the Thursday which falls nine days before Pentecost, just as it did in the actual events. Others celebrate the Ascension on the Sunday before Pentecost as a way to include everyone who might not be able to attend during the week. It is up to the local Ordinary, or head bishop, to decide.
**As St. Augustine beautifully says, “The Trinity is the mutual exchange of Love between the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit which is extended to us.”
Images:
1.Image, Holy Spirit Detail (part of larger work, Viriditas) by Fr. William Hart McNichols. It can be found at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/viriditas-holy-spirit-detail-william-hart-mcnichols.html
​2. My photo, The Apostles and Mary gathered in the Upper Room at Pentecost taken in St. Anasthasia Church, Verona, Italy.
3. Mosaic, God Commencing the Creation of the World, Cathedral of Monreale, Monreale, Sicily, Italy.
(You can see God sending the Spirit to hover over the waters, as it states in Genesis 1.)
4. Painting, Boston Common, Childe Hassam.
5. Icon, The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. You can find it at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/the-blessed-virgin-mary-mother-of-the-church-william-hart-mcnichols.html

NOTE: In compliance with GDPR rules, I wish to make it clear that I do not gather any information on any of my readers at any time. 

While on pilgrimage in the Holy Land a few years ago, our group went to a place likely to have been where John baptized Jesus in the Jordan River. I was surprised to see that the water was murky, an unexpected ugly brownish-green. Our guide told us that this was due to years of fertilizer run-off from farmers’ fields. My surprise was not just because of the murkiness of the water, but because a few days prior our group had gone to a site near Mt. Herman in the far north of Israel where we saw the source of the Jordan; the water was crystal clear, not at all like the water to the south. Remembering this experience reminded me of how our interior life can become clouded by choices, anxieties, pressures, obligations, and the details of daily living: we get so into everyday busyness that we can easily move away from the spiritual practices that we once adhered to. We gradually get distracted and do not even realize that a shift in priorities has taken place. That is, we lose clarity until something shakes us up, calling us to re-evaluate and perhaps re-prioritize. To have clarity, spiritual or otherwise, we need to return to the source, the Lord, from whom all wisdom and grace flows. 

We are clearly in a time of unbidden change. However, the present turmoil is not only an opportunity for reviewing our choices, but it gives rise to renewing our commitment to God and to a fuller spiritual life. And even though many of us actually  have more distractions now than before we needed to stay home, this is the time when we most need to re-think our priorities. While we may not have the clarity we seek, if we approach all things based on what Jesus taught and enter into prayer with a heart which truly seeks Him, we can trust that God will guide us to move toward Him and the merciful love He offers. To do so, we must keep our eyes, ears, and hearts open, and we must be willing to let God lead. This is a challenge which has never been easy, even for the apostles, saints, and holy ones, but it is the intention of our hearts which the Lord understands and honors. If all we have to offer is a little chaotic at first, then offer it. But the point is that this is a time when we can and should evaluate that which is truly important and brings us life in Him.

Remember that the apostles also began their ministry separated from the wider community. Even after the Risen Jesus appeared to them, they were told to stay in Jerusalem – (‘stay in the house, don’t go anywhere’)* – until the Holy Spirit came. They did accompany Jesus to Bethany (Luke 24:50) where He gave them their final instructions and then ascended into Heaven “while they were looking on,” (Acts 1:9), but they were instructed to return home and remain there until the Spirit came. Between the Ascension and Pentecost they prayed and re-prioritized their lives, knowing nothing would ever be the same. However, as they prayed in that Upper Room they had no real clarity as to what was about to take place. They trusted in what Jesus had told them and therefore were receptive when the Holy Spirit descended.

Even after Pentecost the apostles still had to pray and discern how they ought to proceed. What they had received was not complete understanding, but rather the gifts needed to help make things clearer. This is how the spiritual life works: the more we study the Scriptures and spend time in prayer, the more we come to recognize the promptings of the Holy Spirit in our decision-making. Many things will still be wrapped in mystery, but if we do everything with love, giving our best effort to let the Spirit guide us, we can make choices which are life-giving and holy. Our task is to learn to recognize the Spirit’s presence which can only be done by spending time with Him. 

Right now we have an opportunity to reflect upon our choices, priorities, and values, discerning which ones give life to our soul and have real value in the Kingdom of God. We are invited to re-evaluate our relationship with God, how we spend our time, and the quality of our love of neighbor. Like the apostles after the Ascension, we are called to reflect upon the charisms we received through Baptism and Confirmation, asking for guidance in using them. We can use a little more of our ‘home time’ for prayer alone and with our families, attending liturgies together even if we are in our living room instead of our church; we can pray for growth in gratitude for the simple things we do have, rather than lamenting the myriads of choices which have been ‘lost.’ We can reach out to those who are alone, unemployed, or in need. And if we are the suffering or ill during this time, perhaps we can accept the care given by others as a gift from God. What is most important is that we pray for guidance, turning to God, the Source of clear Living Water, in order to continue our growth in faith, hope, and love. We might not find all the answers we crave, but we will find assurance of His love from which we can never be separated.

​May we turn to the Father in gratitude for what He has given! May we turn to Jesus, the Source of Living Water, that He might slake our spiritual thirst and fulfill our desire for new life today! May we turn to the Holy Spirit to help us discern what we can do to move closer to God! And may we grow in our ability to follow the Lord who alone leads to life! Let us continue to meet in the Heart of Jesus! Peace!
                                                                  ©Michele L. Catanese

* These are my words, meant to highlight the similarity between the experience of the apostles and our present stay-at-home situation.

Images:
1. My photo: the Jordan River in Israel at the representative spot where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptizer
2. Painting, abstract art, With the eagle, by Paul Klee (1918): I chose this because it seemed to have symbols which could be seen as home, out in nature, distractions, intentions and reflections, attempts at clarity, and even the chaos of a busy home. Yes, it is an eagle, as the title of the painting indicates, but it if we stretch, perhaps we could envision the Holy Spirit instead. Information at https://wikioo.org/paintings.php?refarticle=8LT4AG&titlepainting=With%20the%20eagle&artistname=Paul%20Klee
​3.  Fresco, The Ascension of the Lord by Giotto: Scrovegni Chapel, Padua, Italy
4. Icon, The Holy Spirit The Lord the Giver of Life The Paraclete Sender of Peace by Fr. William Hart McNichols. It can be found at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/the-holy-spirit-the-lord-the-giver-of-life-the-paraclete-sender-of-peace-093-william-hart-mcnichols.html
5. My photo: the source of the Jordan River, near Mt. Herman, Israel

NOTE: In compliance with GDPR rules, I wish to make it clear that I do not gather any information on any of my readers at any time. 

Many years ago when I was a novice in religious life I was missioned to a social service center in central Louisiana. The point was to spend a summer doing something outside my previous experience in order to stretch and grow. I had never been to the southern US and thought it would be good to spend time in an area and cultural heritage that would be totally new to me. Therefore, I went to live among and minister to some of the economically poor members of a particular Cajun-Creole community. Honestly, while I was the one who chose that particular ministry, I became increasingly anxious as the day to go came closer. The first few days after I arrived were in fact difficult, mostly because I was still anxious and uncomfortable; but once I let go of my fears and truly began to open up to the people and the place, I fell in love with all of it. It wasn’t always easy, but that summer turned into a life-changing experience that still brings joy when I think back on it. It touched my heart in ways I  could never have imagined. In short, I realized that going there was actually a response to an invitation from God; had I not said yes to God’s call to follow Him I would have missed an opportunity for the new life, love, and joy which were present in the people there. An invitation to discipleship is often a challenge, but it is also an opportunity for entrance into the joy of new life offered by God. 

The Gospel readings for the first Sundays in the Easter season are filled with stories about invitations given by God to fearful followers. Mary Magdalene met Jesus at the tomb without knowing who He was at first. But once she heard Him pronounce her name, she opened to His invitation. Jesus invited her to be an evangelist and missionary of love when He instructed her to go tell the others what she had seen and heard. Jesus invited Thomas the apostle to touch His hands and put his hand in His side. That is, He invited Thomas to truly enter into the life of the Risen Lord by first believing and then responding. Jesus walked with two disciples on the road to Emmaus: He invited them to eat of the Word and then of the Bread He broke and shared, thus inviting them to inspire others through what they had seen, heard, and experienced. And finally, during their encounter on the beach at the Sea of Galilee, Peter was invited to love the way Jesus loves, “to feed my sheep.” Peter’s invitation was to lead the new Church, but also to give up control, following where the Spirit led.

All of Jesus’ followers were invited to leave their old lives behind and enter into a new way of living. The early disciples had no idea where the invitations given them by the Lord would lead, but filled with trust and hope, believing what they heard and saw, they went where He led, each to a different aspect of ministry according to their unique invitation. As people of faith, we too are invited to follow in new ways, not just at this strange turn in the road, but throughout our lives. Just as for them, the unknown can feel daunting at first; but if we truly trust in God, even if we undergo suffering, we know that His invitation always leads to life in the end, never to destruction. All new things involve having to let go of the old ways which worked for us in the past, but are no longer effective or even realistic now. The post-Resurrection disciples had to grapple with change in everything they knew, everything in their entire lives, over only a few short days. They had no more sense of what the next days, months, and years of their lives would be than we do now. But they trusted in the invitation of Jesus, in the light and power of the Resurrection, and in the love and mercy offered to them.  

Of course, at present we cannot control what is happening either, but there is an invitation being offered. We are invited to be like Mary Magdalene, no longer sadly weeping because we do not know where Jesus is, but rather weeping for joy in His victory, responding by going forth to share the Good News. We are invited to be like Thomas, rejuvenating our faith by entering into the mercy of Jesus and going forth to help others do the same. We are invited to be like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, called to change course in order to go toward God rather than away, living in the joy of the Resurrection. And like Peter we are invited to feed Jesus’ sheep through acts of loving-kindness and selfless giving. Everything ‘lost’ for them was changed through the light and power of the Resurrection. Perhaps at this point the invitation is to enter into that same light, allowing it to transform our hearts so that whatever is fearful, anxious, grieving, or lost may be filled with new life and new purpose in the love and peace of the Risen Jesus. Things may be different now, but He is with us and we can go forward.

May we be patient during this time of newness, trusting in the joy of knowing that Jesus has indeed conquered sin and death and remains with us always! May we accept God’s invitation into a new future filled with possibility for seeing and loving Him in new ways, experiencing Him again (soon) in the Eucharist! May we be able to ask for help if we are in need, trusting in the discipleship of others! And may we enter into newness courageously, sharing in deeper life in the Spirit! Let us continue to meet in the Heart of the Risen Jesus! Peace! Alleluia! 

​            ©Michele L. Catanese

Images:
1. My photo, Grand Coteau, Louisiana, taken in 1983 during the summer mentioned in the first paragraph.
2. Icon, Mary Magdalen Rabboni - John 20:16 by Fr. William Hart McNichols. If you are interested in purchasing a copy it can be found at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/st-mary-magdalen-rabboni-john-20-16-william-hart-mcnichols.html
3. My photo, taken in Silverthorne, Colorado.
4. My photo, taken in Matamata, across the street from the movie setting for Hobbiton (the Lord of the Rings) in the north island of New Zealand.
5. Icon, The Risen Christ by Fr. William Hart McNichols. You can find this icon at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/the-risen-christ-014-william-hart-mcnichols.html

NOTE: In compliance with GDPR rules, I wish to make it clear that I do not gather any information on any of my readers at any time.