In the Biblical stories of creation from the book of Genesis, human beings become fully alive only when God breathes the breath of life into their nostrils. Later in Scripture, in the book of Acts, on the day of Pentecost, the scriptures say that God’s Holy Spirit came to the disciples like a mighty wind (or “breath” in Greek). In John 20:22, when Jesus ordained the apostles as the first bishops of the Church, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” This theme of breath and Spirit has even entered into the English language with the word “inspire.” The word inspire is “from Latin inspirare ‘breathe or blow into,’ from in- ‘into’ + spirare ‘breathe.’ The word was originally used of a divine or supernatural being, in the sense ‘impart a truth or idea to someone.’” Why the imagery of breath? Just as humans cannot live without breath, so the Biblical imagery reveals
to us that spiritually we cannot live without the inspiration of God. This is the message of Pentecost: God wants to inspire all people with the good news of the Gospel…that God wants to indwell us with His Spirit, the Giver of Life. This month at St. John’s I encourage us to reflect on the message of Pentecost and seek that inspiration that comes from God. Whether through spending time with our spiritual family, or in the study of Scripture and reading of devotional books, or simply taking time to get quiet and soak in the presence of God, Pentecost is a reminder to seek that inspiration that God is so eager to provide.
Peace,
Fr. Daniel+