Reflection
Gospel reflection for Pentecost
"The world is charged with the splendour of God"
If ever there was a line of poetry that captures the energy and power of Pentecost Sunday, it is this line from Gerard Manley Hopkins poem, "God's Grandeur", 'the world is charged with the splendour of God'. The Resurrection of Jesus reaches its powerful cluimax with an outpouring of life, light and energy for his followers. After Jesus' crucifixion this small group of women and men were hiding. They were afraid and had lost all heart and hope. but through the gift of the Holy Spirit they are filled with courage, enthusiasm and determination. Given new life and hope, they went out into the streets and market places and loudly, without fear, proclaimed the good news of the Resurrection; the missionary church was born as they werecharged with the splendour of God.
It would be a mistake to think of ourselves today as being any different from these men and women. Through the grace of baptism and confirmation each of us has been filled with the life and power of the Holy Spirit. Today in our homes and communities, schools and places of work, we too are called to be living witnesses of Christ in and for the world. We need not be worried or afraid of this great responsibility, for God has filled each of us with his own Spirit.
Missionary Oblates.