"Come holy spirit"

This Sunday, we celebrate Pentecost. The term "pentecost" was adopted from Greek-speaking Jews, a term which means "fiftieth"-understood day. In Jewish territory, it designates the closing of harvest, the fiftieth day after Passover. In Christian territory, it designates the descent of the Holy Spirit in manifest fashion, which occurred on the Jewish feast of Pentecost, interestingly, fifty days after the Resurrection.
  
On Pentecost, however, we do not simply commemorate that unusual day when "the disciples were all together in one place" and heard and experienced a driving wind, followed by tongues of fire alighting on each of them (without a single hair catching fire!) We are, of course, thankful for that blessed day, for, because of it, we, Church, are here. This event is often considered to be the birth of the Church, for the Holy Spirit makes us church. We gather to experience the Holy Spirit, the Divine Fire, Third Person of the Trinity. Indeed, St. Paul reminds us (second reading, I Corinthians 12:13) that "we are all made to drink of the same Spirit." And, in the Gospel, Jesus says, "Receive the Holy Spirit." (John 20:22). The gift that Jesus communicates to all disciples is the Holy Spirit.
  
Oh, as will the clergy (visually to call upon the Holy Spirit) why not wear red this Sunday?
"Come Holy Spirit"...
  
Yours hope-fully,
  
Fr. Dominique
Rector