THE NEW CREATION

Everything tells you and hides you,
everything veils you and reveals you.

A. Lerbret

If in the mystery of the ascension, Jesus introduced our humanity into the glory of God, with Pentecost we are made participants in a no less extraordinary miracle: the Holy Spirit fills the universe and inaugurates the new creation. Luke narrates the event (first reading), Paul describes its effects (second reading), John, finally, attests to his presence and his action in the lives of believers (Gospel). The Spirit bears witness to Jesus, confirms the truth of his words and the signs he performed. At the same time he gives disciples of all times the ability to bear witness to the Master. Not only that: the Spirit will say what he has heard (cf. Jn 16:13). From who? From the Father and from Jesus himself, so docility to his voice conforms to the will of the Father and the Son. Thus Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled: «Your teacher will no longer be hidden; your eyes will see your master, your ears will hear this word behind you: “This is the road, follow it”” (30,20-21) But not only that, if the disciple listens he enters into the Trinitarian life itself. «Live inside with them, the Three – wrote Elizabeth of the Trinity to her sister – the Father will communicate his power to you so that you love him with a love as strong as death. The Word will imprint in your soul the image of his own beauty. The Spirit will transform you into a mysterious lyre, which in silence, under its divine touch, will produce a magnificent song of love. Then you will be the praise of his glory.”

O glorious Light of the Father’s glory,
The band of the redeemed greets you
celebrating the newfound life. 

Light of Pentecost,
divine fire,
who made the disciples fearless
in the joyful announcement of the risen Crucifix. 

Light of my baptism
that you were lit by that light that never goes out
and that it will shine until the bright morning Star has risen. 

In joy today I contemplate you
and while I wait to pass from the present twilight
to the day without sunset,
I agree to walk in the faint flame of faith.

Commentary by b. Sandro Carotta, osb
Abbazia di Praglia (Italy)

Translation by f. Mark Hargreaves,
Prinknash Abbey