Gospel & Reflection
Gospel & Reflection for the Feast of Pentecost.
John 20:19-23
On the evening of that first day of the week,
when the doors were locked, where the disciples were,
for fear of the Jews,
Jesus came and stood in their midst
and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.
The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.
As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,
“Receive the Holy Spirit.
Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them,
and whose sins you retain are retained.”
Reflection
‘The Merchant of Venice’ is one of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies. It tells the story of Antonio, the successful merchant of the play’s title, and how he gets into trouble because of his generosity.
Antonio’s friend Bassanio asks for a loan. Antonio agrees, but, as all of his assets are tied up at sea with his ships, he goes to a moneylender called Shylock, who agrees to lend the money needed but on one condition. Antonio must sign a bond which offers not money, but a pound of his flesh, if the loan is not repaid within three months. Antonio agrees to this barbaric arrangement but shortly afterwards, he suffers financial losses and is unable to pay the loan. The case reaches court. There, Shylock refuses a civilised and generous offer from Bassanio of twice the amount of money borrowed, insisting that Antonio honour the bond which was agreed. Shylock wants his ‘pound of flesh’ and while all in the courtroom plead for Antonio’s life, Shylock adamantly demands the court to extract the pound of flesh.
But at that very moment, a young advocate arrives, offering to serve as a Defence Lawyer for Antonio’s case. ‘He’ stands before the court and pleads for mercy, famously saying that mercy is “an attribute to God himself.” This lawyer, a disguised woman called Portia, relies on legal loopholes, clever arguments, and human wit to defeat Shylock. Portia argues that the bond allows Shylock to remove only flesh, but not blood. So, if Shylock were to shed even one drop of Antonio’s blood in the process, his lands and goods would be forfeited under Venetian law. Shylock is defeated and leaves with nothing.
The Shakespearian advocate who saved Antonio’s life, stepped in when Antonio was in absolute despair. In a moment of hopelessness, he felt sure that he would lose his life. But the presence and voice, the influence and actions of this advocate brought hope to Antonio who began to be reassured, ever before his case was won. His advocate, his defender, changed his troubled life.
We celebrate today the Feast of Pentecost. It recalls how the gift of the Holy Spirit was given to the Apostles and how that same Holy Spirit, that ultimate Advocate, changed their troubled lives. The Lord’s resurrection had given them hope and courage, but it did not last long. After His Ascension they wait in Jerusalem trying to follow the Lord’s instructions and praying. But fear holds them back. They do not know what awaits them outside and they don’t have the confidence or courage to move forward. But it is in those days of dread and uncertainty that their advocate comes.
At the right moment, the Lord appears and gifts them with the Spirit. It confirms their faith and hopes, it ignites their courage, and it transforms them from cowards into heroic leaders and defenders of the one, true faith. No longer do they fear being brought before courts and be put on trial because of their Christianity; they become bold witnesses to God whom they walked with, talked with, listened to, and loved.
This same ferocious and beautiful Spirit is within all of us. Not once but twice, we were gifted with it. First in Baptism, later in Confirmation, we received that same Spirit, that same advocate and helper, as was given to the Apostles on that first Pentecost.
The Spirit dwells deep within us all and it helps us in ways known and unknown. How often have we found ourselves saying or heard others saying, “I don’t know how I came through that?” or “I feel that there is something keeping me going, something keeping me standing, something keeping me strong.” Those mysterious feelings of the heart are the Holy Spirit. There is much more going on inside of us than just biology. There is more occurring in our world than just random experiences, or simple coincidences or accidents. The Spirit tells us that He is there through those types of instincts we feel and they reassure us that there is something much more mysterious going on within and around us, than many might care to admit.
So, friends, if ever we feel that the trials of our lives are too much; that there is something in our past from which we cannot escape, something in the present that we cannot overcome, or something in our future we cannot face. Let us not forget that God, who loves us eternally, has given us His Spirit as our defender and it arrives when needed most.
His Spirit will guide us and comfort us, it will strengthen and instruct us, and when necessary, it will ignite our courage to be witnesses to the God whom we walk with and talk to, whom we listen to, and whom we love and trust.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and kindle in them the fire of Your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created and you shall renew the face of the earth. Amen.
Fr. Richard
