From the Pastor’s desk— May 19, 2024

Today’s celebration of Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit, is our 3^rd most important feast in the Catholic Church.  It comes from the Greek meaning “fiftieth” as it is 50 days after Easter.  Our Chirstian Pentecost is not to be confused with the Hebrew celebration of a feast called Pentecost which comes from the Hebrew word Shavuot, meaning “weeks.” 

Fifty is an important number for the Israelites as they arrived at Mt. Sinai fifty days after crossing the Red Sea.  Also, Shavuot (Hebrew Pentecost) falls 50 days after Passover and marks its end.  Even more, Pentecost marks the day when the Torah was given.  For these reasons, this is a major celebration in our Jewish history as well. 

5. Dairy is always eaten on Shavuot because the Torah is referred to as the “milk of the Word.”  The Jewish writers of the New Testament continued to use this image in multiple places. “Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual, but as worldly—as infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for solid food. In fact, you are still not ready, for you are still worldly. I Cor 3:1-2  “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” I Peter 2:2 and, “Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food!” Hebrews 5:12. For Christians there arose a tradition of celebrating with white foods, like powdered doughnuts, but milk would qualify as well. 

  Another way this feast is Shavuot is celebrated is with greenery and flowers.  It is believed that the wilderness around Mt Sinai bloomed with flowers and grass at the giving of the Torah.  Also, when God spoke the Ten Commandments there was a fragrance in the air. 

The final item used in the celebration of Shavuot is fruits as it is the Day of the First Fruits (Numbers 28:26) or the Harvesting Festival (Deuteronomy 16:9-10).   For Christians, the First Fruits of the Holy Spirit were given on this day Galatians 5:22-23 tells us, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” 

For us today, our Christian celebration builds upon our Hebrew roots.  The flowers, the fruits, or the milk are all just outward expressions of the inward encounter with the God of new life made present to us in the Holy Spirit.   It is a day to learn what are our gifts and to commit to put them in service for the good of others.  Perhaps you could join a ministry, a new group, or help this year in one of our many festivals.  These are the sweetest of fruits, these are the fruits that last, these are the fruits our world hungers for.

 

 

   

 

 

 

                     

 

With a heart for Mission,
Fr. Ray