Pentecost Is a Powerful

Manifestation of God

General audience of July 12, 1989

Our knowledge of Our knowledge of the Holy Spirit is the Holy Spirit is

based on what Jesus based on what Jesus tells us about him, tells us about him,

especially when especially when Jesus speaks about Jesus speaks about his own departure his own departure

and his return to the and his return to the Father. Father.

"When I shall "When I shall have gone away...have gone away...

the Holy Spirit the Holy Spirit will come to you" will come to you"

(cf. Jn 16:7). (cf. Jn 16:7).

Christ's paschal Christ's paschal "departure""departure"

through the cross, through the cross, resurrection and ascension resurrection and ascension

finds its culmination in finds its culmination in Pentecost, Pentecost,

that is, in the descent of that is, in the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the the Holy Spirit upon the

apostles. apostles. They were They were "of one "of one accord devoted to accord devoted to

prayer"prayer" in the upper room in the upper room "together with the "together with the mother of Jesus" mother of Jesus"

and the group of persons and the group of persons who formed the nucleus of who formed the nucleus of

the original Church the original Church (cf. Acts 1:14).(cf. Acts 1:14).

In that event the Holy In that event the Holy Spirit remains the Spirit remains the mysterious God mysterious God

(cf. Is 45:15), (cf. Is 45:15),

and such he will remain and such he will remain throughout the entire throughout the entire

history of the Church and history of the Church and of the world. of the world.

It could be said that he is It could be said that he is hidden in the shadow of hidden in the shadow of

Christ, Christ, the Son-Word, the Son-Word,

one in being with the one in being with the Father, Father,

who in visible form who in visible form "became flesh and "became flesh and dwelt among us" dwelt among us"

(Jn 1:14).(Jn 1:14).

In the Incarnation the Holy In the Incarnation the Holy Spirit was not visibly Spirit was not visibly

manifestedmanifested——he remained the hidden he remained the hidden

God—God—and he enveloped Mary in and he enveloped Mary in

the mystery. the mystery. The angel said to the The angel said to the

Virgin, Virgin, the woman chosen for the woman chosen for

God's definitive approach God's definitive approach to man: to man:

"The Holy Spirit will "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the come upon you, and the power of the Most High power of the Most High will overshadow you" will overshadow you"

(Lk 1:35).(Lk 1:35).

Similarly at Pentecost Similarly at Pentecost the Holy Spirit the Holy Spirit

"overshadows" "overshadows" the nascent Church, the nascent Church,

so that under his so that under his influence she may be influence she may be

empowered to empowered to "announce the "announce the

mighty works of God" mighty works of God" (cf. Acts 2:11). (cf. Acts 2:11).

What took place in What took place in Mary's womb in the Mary's womb in the

Incarnation now finds a Incarnation now finds a further fulfillment. further fulfillment.

The Spirit operates as The Spirit operates as the the

"hidden God," "hidden God," invisible in his person.invisible in his person.

Pentecost is a theophany, Pentecost is a theophany, that is to say, that is to say,

a powerful divine a powerful divine manifestation. manifestation. It completes the It completes the

manifestation on Mount manifestation on Mount Sinai, Sinai,

after Israel had gone forth after Israel had gone forth from the bondage of from the bondage of

Egypt under the guidance Egypt under the guidance of Moses. of Moses.

According to rabbinical According to rabbinical tradition, tradition,

the manifestation on the manifestation on Mount Sinai occurred fifty Mount Sinai occurred fifty

days after the Pasch of days after the Pasch of the Exodus, the Exodus,

the day of Pentecost.the day of Pentecost.

"Mount Sinai was wrapped in "Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke, because the Lord smoke, because the Lord

descended upon it in fire; descended upon it in fire; and its smoke went up like the and its smoke went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole smoke of a kiln, and the whole

mountain quaked greatly" mountain quaked greatly" (Ex 19:18). (Ex 19:18).

The absolute transcendence of The absolute transcendence of "he "he who is"who is" then manifested it then manifested it

(cf. Ex 3:14). (cf. Ex 3:14). Already at the foot of Mount Horeb, Already at the foot of Mount Horeb, Moses had heard from the midst of Moses had heard from the midst of

the burning bush the words: the burning bush the words: "Do not come near; put off your "Do not come near; put off your

shoes from your feet, for the shoes from your feet, for the place on which you are standing place on which you are standing

is holy ground" is holy ground" (Ex 3:5). (Ex 3:5).

Now at the foot of Mount Sinai the Now at the foot of Mount Sinai the Lord said to him: Lord said to him:

"Go down and warn the people, "Go down and warn the people, lest they break through to the lest they break through to the Lord to gaze and many of them Lord to gaze and many of them

perish" perish" (Ex 19:21).(Ex 19:21).

The theophany of Pentecost The theophany of Pentecost is the last of the series of is the last of the series of

manifestations in which God manifestations in which God progressively made himself progressively made himself

known to man. known to man. With it God's self-revelation With it God's self-revelation

reaches its culmination; reaches its culmination; through it he wished to infuse through it he wished to infuse

into his people faith in his into his people faith in his majesty and transcendence majesty and transcendence

and, at the same time, and, at the same time, in his immanent presence of in his immanent presence of

"Emmanuel," "Emmanuel," of of "God with us.""God with us."

At Pentecost there is a At Pentecost there is a theophany which, together theophany which, together

with Mary, with Mary, directly touches the whole directly touches the whole

Church in its initial nucleus, Church in its initial nucleus, thus completing the long thus completing the long process begun under the process begun under the

old covenant. old covenant. If we analyze the details of If we analyze the details of

the event in the upper the event in the upper room recorded in Acts (2:1-room recorded in Acts (2:1-

13), 13), we find there different we find there different elements which recall elements which recall previous theophanies, previous theophanies, especially that of Sinai, especially that of Sinai,

which Luke seems to have which Luke seems to have in mind when describing in mind when describing the descent of the Holy the descent of the Holy

Spirit. Spirit.

According to Luke's description, According to Luke's description, the theophany in the upper room takes the theophany in the upper room takes

place by means of phenomena resembling place by means of phenomena resembling those of Sinai: those of Sinai:

"When the day of Pentecost had come, "When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. they were all together in one place. And suddenly a sound came from And suddenly a sound came from

heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they and it filled all the house where they

were sitting. were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each of fire, distributed and resting on each

one of them. one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy And they were all filled with the Holy

Spirit Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, and began to speak in other tongues,

as the Spirit gave them utterance" as the Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 2:1-4).(Acts 2:1-4).

Three basic elements mark Three basic elements mark the eventthe event

the sound of a mighty the sound of a mighty wind, wind,

tongues as of fire, tongues as of fire, and the charism of and the charism of

speaking in other speaking in other languages. languages. All these are rich in a All these are rich in a

symbolic value which symbolic value which must be borne in mind. must be borne in mind.

In the light of these facts In the light of these facts one understands better one understands better what the author of Acts what the author of Acts had in mind when he had in mind when he

said that those present said that those present in the upper room in the upper room

"were filled with the "were filled with the Holy Spirit."Holy Spirit."

"A sound like the rush "A sound like the rush of a mighty wind." of a mighty wind."

From the linguistic point of From the linguistic point of view there is an affinity view there is an affinity

here between the wind (the here between the wind (the breath of wind) and breath of wind) and

"the spirit." "the spirit." In Hebrew, as in Greek, In Hebrew, as in Greek, "wind" is a homonym of "wind" is a homonym of

"spirit“"spirit“ : : ruah—pneuma.ruah—pneuma. We read in the Book of We read in the Book of

Genesis (1:2): Genesis (1:2): "The spirit (ruah) of God "The spirit (ruah) of God

was moving over the was moving over the face of the waters," face of the waters," and in John's Gospel: and in John's Gospel: "The wind (pneuma) "The wind (pneuma) blows where it wills" blows where it wills"

(Jn 3:8).(Jn 3:8).

In the Bible a strong wind In the Bible a strong wind "announces""announces" the presence of the presence of

God. God. It is the sign of a theophany. It is the sign of a theophany.

"He was seen upon the "He was seen upon the wings of the wind," wings of the wind,"

(II Samuel 22:11). (II Samuel 22:11). "Behold, a stormy wind "Behold, a stormy wind

came out of the north, and came out of the north, and a great cloud, with a great cloud, with

brightness round about it, brightness round about it, and fire flashing forth and fire flashing forth

continually,“continually,“ (Ezekiel 1:4). (Ezekiel 1:4).

In particular, the breath of wind In particular, the breath of wind is the expression of the divine is the expression of the divine power which draws forth from power which draws forth from chaos the order of creation chaos the order of creation

(cf. Gen 1:2). (cf. Gen 1:2).

It is also the expression It is also the expression of the freedom of the of the freedom of the

Spirit: Spirit: "The wind blows "The wind blows where it wills, where it wills,

and you hear the and you hear the sound of it, sound of it,

but you do not know but you do not know whence it comes or whence it comes or

whither it goes" whither it goes" (Jn 3:8). (Jn 3:8).

"A sound like the rush "A sound like the rush of a mighty wind" of a mighty wind"

is the first element of the is the first element of the theophany of Pentecost, theophany of Pentecost,

a manifestation of the a manifestation of the divine power at work in divine power at work in

the Holy Spirit.the Holy Spirit.

The second element of the The second element of the Pentecost event is fire: Pentecost event is fire:

"There appeared to them "There appeared to them tongues as of fire" tongues as of fire"

(Acts 2:3). (Acts 2:3). Fire is always present in the Fire is always present in the manifestations of God in the manifestations of God in the

Old Testament. Old Testament. We see this in the covenant We see this in the covenant between God and Abraham between God and Abraham

(cf. Gen 15:17); (cf. Gen 15:17); likewise when God revealed likewise when God revealed

himself to Moses in the burning himself to Moses in the burning bush which was not consumed bush which was not consumed

(cf. Ex 3:2); (cf. Ex 3:2); again, in the columns of fire again, in the columns of fire which guided the people of which guided the people of Israel by night through the Israel by night through the

desert desert (cf. Ex 13:21-22). (cf. Ex 13:21-22).

Fire is present particularly in Fire is present particularly in the manifestation of God on the manifestation of God on

Mount Sinai Mount Sinai (cf. Ex 19:18), (cf. Ex 19:18),

and also in the and also in the eschatological theophanies eschatological theophanies described by the prophets described by the prophets

(cf. Is 4:5; 64:1; Dan 7:9 etc.). (cf. Is 4:5; 64:1; Dan 7:9 etc.).

Fire, therefore, symbolizes Fire, therefore, symbolizes the presence of God. the presence of God. On several occasions On several occasions

Sacred Scripture states that Sacred Scripture states that "our God is a consuming "our God is a consuming

fire" fire" (Heb 12:29; Dt 4:24; 9:3). (Heb 12:29; Dt 4:24; 9:3).

In the rites of holocaust In the rites of holocaust the destruction of the the destruction of the

thing offered was of less thing offered was of less importance than the importance than the sweet perfume which sweet perfume which symbolized the raising symbolized the raising

up of the offering to up of the offering to God, God,

while fire, also called the while fire, also called the "minister of God" "minister of God"

(cf. Ps 104:4) (cf. Ps 104:4)

symbolized man's symbolized man's purification from sin, purification from sin, just as silver is refined just as silver is refined

and gold is tested in the and gold is tested in the fire fire

(cf. Zech 13:8-9).(cf. Zech 13:8-9).

In the theophany of In the theophany of Pentecost there is the symbol Pentecost there is the symbol

of the tongues as of fire of the tongues as of fire which rested on each of which rested on each of

those present in the upper those present in the upper room. room.

If fire symbolizes God's If fire symbolizes God's presence, presence,

the tongues of fire the tongues of fire distributed and resting on distributed and resting on

their heads seem to indicate their heads seem to indicate the the "descent""descent" of God the of God the

Holy Spirit on those present, Holy Spirit on those present, the gift of himself to each of the gift of himself to each of

them to prepare them for them to prepare them for their mission.their mission.

The symbolism of the The symbolism of the multiplication of multiplication of

languageslanguagesThe gift of the Spirit, The gift of the Spirit,

the fire of God, the fire of God, assumes a particular assumes a particular

form, form, that of that of "tongues." "tongues."

Its meaning is Its meaning is immediately explained immediately explained when the author adds: when the author adds:

"They began to "They began to speak in other speak in other tongues, as the tongues, as the Spirit gave them Spirit gave them

utterance" utterance" (Acts 2:4). (Acts 2:4).

The words that come The words that come from the Holy Spirit are from the Holy Spirit are

"like fire" "like fire" (cf. Jer 5:14; 23:29). (cf. Jer 5:14; 23:29).

They have an efficacy They have an efficacy that mere human words that mere human words

do not possess. do not possess. In this third element of In this third element of

the manifestation of the manifestation of God at Pentecost, God at Pentecost,

God the Holy Spirit, God the Holy Spirit, in giving himself to in giving himself to

men, men, produced in them an produced in them an effect which was both effect which was both

real and symbolic. real and symbolic.

It was real in that it It was real in that it concerned the faculty of concerned the faculty of

speech which is a natural speech which is a natural property of man. property of man.

However, it was also However, it was also symbolic since these men symbolic since these men

"from Galilee," "from Galilee," while using their own while using their own

language or dialect, spoke language or dialect, spoke "in other languages," "in other languages,"

so that in the multitude that so that in the multitude that speedily gathered each one speedily gathered each one

heard heard "his own language," "his own language,"

although representatives of although representatives of many different people were many different people were

present present (cf. Acts 2:6).(cf. Acts 2:6).

The symbolism of the The symbolism of the "multiplication of "multiplication of

languages"languages" is very significant. is very significant. According to the Bible the According to the Bible the

diversity of languages was the diversity of languages was the sign of the multiplication of sign of the multiplication of peoples and of nations, and peoples and of nations, and

indeed of their dispersal indeed of their dispersal following the construction of following the construction of

the tower of Babel the tower of Babel (cf. Gen 11:5-9). (cf. Gen 11:5-9).

Then the one common Then the one common language understood by language understood by

everyone was divided into everyone was divided into many languages, many languages,

thus causing a confusion of thus causing a confusion of mutual incomprehension. mutual incomprehension. Now the symbolism of the Now the symbolism of the

tower of Babel is succeeded by tower of Babel is succeeded by that of the languages of that of the languages of

Pentecost, which indicates the Pentecost, which indicates the opposite of that confusion of opposite of that confusion of

languages. languages.

One might say that the many One might say that the many incomprehensible languages have incomprehensible languages have

lost their specific character, lost their specific character, or at least have ceased to be a or at least have ceased to be a

symbol of division. symbol of division. They have given way to the new They have given way to the new

work of the Holy Spirit, work of the Holy Spirit, who through the apostles and the who through the apostles and the Church brings to spiritual unity Church brings to spiritual unity

peoples of different origins, peoples of different origins, languages and cultures languages and cultures

in view of the perfect communion in view of the perfect communion in God announced and implored in God announced and implored

by Jesus by Jesus (cf. Jn 17:11, 21-22).(cf. Jn 17:11, 21-22).

We conclude with the words of We conclude with the words of Vatican Council II in the Vatican Council II in the

Constitution on Divine Revelation Constitution on Divine Revelation (DViv 17)(DViv 17)::

"Christ established the kingdom of "Christ established the kingdom of God on earth, manifested his Father God on earth, manifested his Father

and himself by deeds and words, and and himself by deeds and words, and completed his work by his death, completed his work by his death,

resurrection and glorious ascension resurrection and glorious ascension and by the sending of the Holy Spirit. and by the sending of the Holy Spirit. Having been lifted up from the earth, Having been lifted up from the earth,

he draws all men to himselfhe draws all men to himself (cf. Jn (cf. Jn

12:32),12:32), he who alone has the words of he who alone has the words of

eternal lifeeternal life (cf. Jn 6:68).(cf. Jn 6:68). This mystery had not been This mystery had not been

manifested to other generations as it manifested to other generations as it was now revealed to his holy was now revealed to his holy

apostles and prophets in the Holy apostles and prophets in the Holy SpiritSpirit (cf. Eph 3:4-6),(cf. Eph 3:4-6),

so that they might preach the Gospel, so that they might preach the Gospel, stir up faith in Jesus, Christ and Lord, stir up faith in Jesus, Christ and Lord,

and gather together the Church" and gather together the Church"

This is the great work of the Holy Spirit and This is the great work of the Holy Spirit and of the Church in human hearts and in history.of the Church in human hearts and in history.