We have been in the in-between time since the Ascension of the Lord. Today we celebrate the dramatic inbreaking of the time of fulfilment. We celebrate the fullness of the Spirit and the great gathering of nations. The feast also brings the Easter season to its conclusion. Today’s readings recapitulate many themes that appeared throughout the Easter season: Christology, Trinitarian theology, reign of God, repentance, salvation, mission, universality. All are brought together as we are brought together into the body of Christ.
The plan of salvation has been brought to its conclusion. Christ is exalted next to God and has sent his Spirit to fill the earth with God's power. The world is charged with divine energy; it needs but a spark to ignite it with life and with excitement. This vitality explodes into the extraordinary: tongues are loosed and speech overflows its linguistic constraints; charismatic gifts flood the valleys of human habitation; barred doors are burst open and frightened hearts are calmed. The Spirit of the Lord fills the whole world.
We gather together to discover that God has gathered us for another. Strangers assemble to fulfil personal obligations and they experience a phenomenon that bonds them together for life. Individual religious devotion is swept up into communal divine revelation. Through the Spirit of God, we are reconciled to each other and then together we spend ourselves for the common good. The world is renewed; the community is revitalised; we come to know the mysterious yet all pervasive peace of Christ.
© Fr Michael Tate; mtate@bigpond.com, https://www.liturgyhelp.com/calendar/date/2025Jun08/0/RefMiTa