The Father’s Sent One, in turn, sends us Christians.  Yet we can go on Christ’s mission only if the Spirit of Christ is upon us. 

The spirit of Elijah was upon Elisha.   What Elisha had done to cross the Jordan on dry land made this clear.  It seems, then, that it is worth to ask, “What do we do that leaves no doubt that the Spirit of Christ is upon us?”

But to have the Spirit of Christ is not about crossing the Jordan or the Red Sea.  Or about leaving Egypt to be free.  For we get to know such greater wonders (St. John Chrysostom) as: to pass from death to life, to be free from the devil so as not to be a slave to sin.

And to love is the greatest wonder, surprise.  Yet it is not that we love God, but that he loves us.  So, we have his Son to take our sins away and we get to love also.  Besides, for us to love is to pass from death to life, from being in the dark to being in the light.

Hence, never mind that evening has come.  For Jesus stands in our midst and says, “Peace be with you,” and shows us his hands and his side.  Yes, his love and his courage, to the point of giving up his body and shedding his blood, drive away the darkness and terror of the night.

And since he takes away our sins, he also reconciles us with God, himself and each other.  He sends us besides to the ends of the earth to preach peace, reconciliation, by words and by works.  So, to have the Spirit of Christ means to go on a mission of peace and reconciliation.  Of the new creation that starts this first day of the week.

Lord Jesus, you are our peace and reconciliation.  Make us who say we are your disciples one in faith and love.  Thus, those who see us can say of us, “The Spirit of Christ is upon them.”  And we will truly be of the new creation, in which you make one those of diverse languages that sin drives apart.  Give us your strength, so that we may not turn back in the face of conflicts that doing good brings (SV.EN I:75).  So that we may be like the Good Shepherd who risks his life for his flock.

8 June 2025
Pentecost Sunday
Acts 2, 1-11; 1 Cor 12, 3b-7. 12-13; Jn 20, 19-23