Pentecost calls us into true discipleship

May 27, 2007 -- Feast of Pentecost

By Bishop Robert Morneau

	Bishop Robert Morneau
	Questions for reflection: 1. How has the Holy Spirit changed your life? 2. What can you do to be more open to the gift of the Holy Spirit? 3. What is the connection between friendship and the Holy Spirit?

Yves Congar (1904-1995) was a French Dominican theologian who had an enormous impact on the documents of the Second Vatican Council. His writings on the role of the laity and the need for continual reformation of the Church were two areas of special impact. Fr. Congar, named a cardinal in 1985, was also known for his work on ecumenism, our need to dialogue with other religious traditions with openness and honesty.

At age 76, Yves Congar finished a three volume work I Believe in the Holy Spirit (New York: Crossroad, 1997). On this feast of Pentecost we can do no better than ponder some of Congar's theological insights on the nature and role of the Holy Spirit on our Christian life.

"It is therefore very illuminating and very interesting to present the Holy Spirit as the friendship of the Father and the Son or the mutual Love of the Father and Son" (I-90). We all have a basic understanding of friendship as that relationship in which individuals share a common vision and common values. Friends see and cherish the same things, be it faith, travel, reading, or sports. Friends do things together and act out of a deep unity.

The Holy Spirit acts with God the Creator (Father) and with God our Redeemer (Son-Jesus). Although distinct in terms of persons, the Trinity is one and the Spirit participates in the creating and redeeming (as well as sanctifying) work of the Trinity. This friendship is one of Love. This friendship is one that is also filled with Light and Life.

Congar quotes a hermit, Seraphim of Sarov (+1833): "The real aim of our Christian life is that we should be overcome by the divine Spirit. Prayer, fasting, almsgiving, charity and other good works undertaken in the name of Christ are the means by which we acquire the divine Spirit" (II-69). Pentecost has an aim and a plan. The aim is that we open our minds and hearts to the influence of God's will. We are made to be "overcome" by grace (Love, Light, Life). And we, in the name of Jesus, open ourselves to this divine influence by doing what God asks of us: pray, fast, be generous, do good works. Pentecost is a demanding feast. It calls us into true discipleship, a way of life that draws us into a radical participation in Christ's risen life.

Here is a haunting question that we must take to heart on this great feast: "Is it really possible to say that the Holy Spirit is given when, apparently at least, nothing happens?" (II-155). There is a deep pragmatism about our Christian lives. Contemplation is to lead to action at some level. When the wind of the Spirit blows, nothing is ever the same again; when the fire of the Spirit descends into the human heart, profound changes are bound to happen. We see this in the Acts of the Apostles and in the Gospel today. The fearful and hesitant disciples are radically transformed. Now, all is new.

One last comment, this one from St. Ambrose: "Omne verum, a quocumque dicitur, a Spiritu Sancto est" - "All truth, no matter where it comes from, is from the Holy Spirit." "God's Spirit is truly amovin'!"

(Bp. Morneau is the auxiliary bishop of the Green Bay Diocese and pastor of Resurrection Parish in Allouez.)