At the Ascension, Jesus told the Apostles to go back to Jerusalem and stay there. Jesus had departed, yet as they walked that short journey together they did so with joy.
Jerusalem was buzzing, filled with Jews from far and wide gathering fifty days after the Passover, to mark the festival of Shavuot . This commemorated the first fruits of the harvest and God’s gift of the Torah to Moses , His covenant with his people . It was a celebration of completion and promise.
Mary, the Apostles and a large number of followers gathered too. They were a fragile enough group “ mere Galileans”, but they had been assured by Jesus that soon “ you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit…receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and then you will be my witnesses, not only in Judea and Samaria, and indeed to the ends of the earth”. This Holy Spirit, Jesus had told them at the last supper, would be their Helper and “will teach you everything snd remind you you of all I have said to you.”
And so, as they prayed together, their minds and hearts teeming, perhaps, with expectations, fears, desires, the power of the Holy Spirit swept through them like wind and fire. They were transformed, ready to risk the new, witnesses of prophetic hope…..in many languages!
As we enter this feast we are conscious that we too, as RSHM , are in a gathering process. Together, with our wider RSHM family, we move towards the General Chapter. With our fragility, gifts and hopes we can remind ourselves of Jesus’ promises. What are the challenges that face us and the world in the immediate and more distant future? What are the gifts of the Spirit that we want to ask for our world and ourselves especially for the General Chapter.
Gailhac particularly mentioned the Spirit’s gifts of joy and peace and repeatedly urged his sisters to let themselves be led by the Spirit: “Fill yourselves more and more each day with the Spirit of God; let yourself be be guided in all things by His inspirations.”
We can take heart from Gailhac’s prayer for us.
May the God of mercies, whose daughters you are,
pour more and more into your souls His Holy Spirit,
and may the Holy Spirit enlighten you with
His divine light and communicate His strength to you,
so that knowing the will of God you might faithfully accomplish it.
SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD FALL AFRESH ON US
Text and Image: Sister Barbara Bailey