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
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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