Spiritus Spirat Holy Pentecost Sunday



“The wind blows where it wills and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”  Jn. 3:8

In all three ancient languages of Hebrew, Greek and Latin, the same word used for “wind” is also used for “breath” or “spirit”, the animated body’s own personal “mini-wind”, or that immaterial something which somehow gives life and movement and whose absence is the infallible sign of death.  Hence, “the wind blows…” in the above passage from St. John’s Gospel, could also be well translated, “The spirit spirates…” or “The breath breathes…”

Today, Pentecost Sunday, we celebrate the breathing of God’s own Holy Ineffable Breath upon His Bride, the Church.  Those of us who have received Him now breathe with the Breath that is eternally exchanged between the Father and the Son.  What can be more intimate than breath?  Yet God has come this close to us, that He lives and breathes in the depths of our being.  Our own breath now mingles with His in a kiss of love that makes us one in His Divine Mystery.

Spiritus Spirat

Your breathing fragrance spires mine.
Rising together, they intertwine,
Tendrils of an incense vine
That over us a canopy spread.

Perfuming aloes and myrrh descend
Anointing the dead
And risen again. 

Wherever we will our spirits breathe
Spiraling the bridal wreathe.

A bird flew into one of our hall windows overlooking our courtyard.
When the sun is just right, you can see its imprint on the window glass.
Can you see it?  I am reminded of the Holy Spirit.



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