comment
In today’s first reading, we read a description of love in the midst of chaos. It’s Pentecost and it’s terrifying. Fire. Howling winds. The followers who had assembled in Jerusalem were gathered in this place. They must have been talking loudly among themselves in fear and confusion, each in their own language. Imagine the cacophony!
In this mayhem, what did God do? He used the spectacle to get their attention and then spoke to each in their own language. One voice, many languages. For what purpose? To share the good news, person to person. God was saying, here in the midst of bedlam, “I am calling you. I love YOU.”
Fast forward to Sunday Mass in 2024, which is reverent worship in a peaceful place. Let this time and place get your attention. I know I have to check myself so as not to forget what is really taking place. Unlike Mass, life is noisy and our culture is chaotic. Maybe your life is both. With the psalmist, consider the majesty of God. His works in nature are astounding. When God sends forth his spirit, he renews the face of the earth. The psalmist end with this supplication: May the Lord rejoice in his works! We are the work of his hands and God wants us to know his love is personal. He is talking to us.