Pentecost Hope

One of my favorite Pentecost readings is from the Vigil Mass: Ezekiel 37:1-14.  Ezekiel is shown a plain of dry bones.  A depressing scene...but when he prophesies as God commands him the bones come back to life.  God then makes the promise to Israel: “...I will open your graves and have you rise from them....I will put my spirit upon you that you may live.”

The Easter season begins with Christ's Resurrection—the first fruits from the dead—which is a promise of our resurrection and victory over death. How is this done?  St. Paul says (Romans 8:11) through Christ's Spirit who is given us on Pentecost.  Imagine: the gift of the Spirit is only the first installment of what is to come!  How great is the mercy of God!

The House of Israel was despairing: “Our hope is lost.”  This is the devil's trump card: despair.  May the gift of the Spirit this Pentecost renew hope within you. May he bring you back to life.  May you know God's mercy.
 “O my people! I will put my spirit within you that you may live....I have promised and I will do it.”