We might not agree on the evils of our times and the problems of our culture.  But we surely agree that there are a couple of them.  How would you address them?  If you had the means and power to solve them, how would you go about them?  You might choose to use all your power and might to eradicate, or destroy the evil doers or the people causing those problems.  And if you haappen to be deprieved of such means and power, you would pray and wait in earnest for a mighty one to arise who would have the guts to do it.

Two thousand years ago, the Jews, who had been for centuries dominated, firdt by the Hellenistic dominion and then by the Roman Empire, were eagerly expecting the Messiah, the Saviour, or such might man, call him whatever you like!  The Jews were great believers, believers in God almighty, who has driven them out of  slavery in Egypt “with a mighty hand”.  Whoever believes in God, believes in God almighty.  It is illogical to believe in a God who  is not almighty!  By definition, God is almighty.  You either believe in God almighty, and expect Him to manifest Himself as such, or you just do not believe in any God whatsoever.

Yet, the story of Pentecost surprises us, as the Mystery of the Incarnation and the Paschal Mystery surprise us.  The way our God chooses to intervine in our history and culture is not the same way we imagine and expect Him to act.  He chose to be born of a young and simple lady from an insignificant town in cave outside Betlehem.  He chose to offer Himself as a randsom to expiate our debts, insteady of organising a military campaign and conducting it from his base by sending us to fight for him and for ourselves.  He chose to spread His new creation just by sending His Spirit of New Life on a handful of people.  It is like giving just one seed to a farmer.  Eventually, he would be able to feed not only his family, his fellow country men, but also other peoples.

The Feast of Pentecost could be very disappointing for many believers.  For many others, it may have already turned out to be devoid of nay particular significance.  Yet, at every Pentecost, something great would be happening.  A new seed is sown;  a new life is concieved;  a new hope is enkindled in heart of the true believer.  Someone, somewhere, must have openned his or her heart for the Holy Spirit to over shadow him or her.  Someone must have had the courage and faith to say that same unconditional yes pronounced by Mary two thousand years ago.  Someone must have profited from the intercession of Mary and took the Words of Jesus seriously:  “You shall be my witness to the ends of the earth”.  We wait and see!