June 12: Every Day / Todos los Días

Although we can say that we have “finished” the celebration of the Easter season with the Feast of Pentecost, we probably shouldn’t leave it behind. Some have suggested, in fact, that we need to observe Easter and its fulfillment on Pentecost every day of the year. 

Saint Oscar Romero, Archbishop of El Salvador, on Pentecost Sunday in 1978, preached: “It will always be Pentecost in the Church, provided the Church lets the beauty of the Holy Spirit shine forth from her countenance. When the Church ceases to let her strength rest on the Power from above, which Christ promised her and which He gave her on that day, and when the Church leans rather on the weak forces of the power or wealth of this earth, then the Church ceases to be newsworthy. The Church will be fair to see, perennially young, attractive in every age, as long as she is faithful to the Spirit who floods her, and she reflects that Spirit through her communities, through her pastors, and through her very life.”

So, Pentecost is not just one day, but every day. For without the breath of God breathed into us each day, there is no life. As one of Saint John Henry Cardinal Newman’s favorite prayers says:

“Come Holy Spirit
 Make our ears to hear
 Make our eyes to see
 Make our mouths to speak
 Make our hearts to seek
 Make our hands to reach out
 And touch the world with your love.  Amen.” 

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Con Jesús y por su Espíritu Santo, Dios se hace presente en los caminos, en los pueblos, allá donde estaban las personas reales, y sobre todo las que más sufrían la enfermedad o la injusticia. Jesús y su Espíritu hacen presente a Dios en el mundo, lo sacan del templo. Con Jesús y su Espíritu, la presencia de Dios ya no es amenazadora, sino una presencia amorosa. 

Lo que hemos celebrado por los Cincuenta Días de Pascua y lo que celebramos todos los días, es que Dios es Padre, papá, que cuida de nosotros, sus hijos e hijas, que respeta nuestra libertad, y que nos invita a crecer en responsabilidad. Y que pone por delante de nosotros un ideal: lo que Él quiere y desea para nosotros, el Reino de justicia y fraternidad.

Por el poder del Espíritu Santo, Jesús se hace alimento para nuestras vidas. En Jesús comulgamos con Dios mismo y con su proyecto para nosotros: su Reino.