Understanding the Word

By Dianne Bergant, C.S.A.

The Jewish feast of Pentecost was one of the three major pilgrimage festivals of Israel. This feast explains why there was a crowd gathered in Jerusalem. This  is the crowd that heard a loud noise and was confused, astonished, and amazed.  They knew that those speaking were Galileans, yet the hearers could understand  the message in their own dialect. The exact nature of this marvel is less significant than its meaning. It was clearly a manifestation of the universal presence  and power of the Spirit. The outpouring of the Spirit and the preaching of the  gospel to all nations are seen by some as initiating the reunion of the human race  and the gathering of all into the reign of God. 

The acclamation “Jesus is Lord!” is rich in both Jewish and early Christian  meaning. “Lord” was the official title of the Roman emperor. To proclaim Jesus as  Lord was to set up a rivalry between the followers of Jesus and the ruling political  authority. The title “Lord” is also used in the Greek-language version of the Old  Testament as a substitute for God’s personal name. To use this title for Jesus is  also to ascribe to him the attributes of God. Paul next launches into a discourse  on the varieties of functions within the Christian community. The diversity of gifts  is compared to the complexity of the human body. This metaphor exemplifies  unity in diversity and interdependence. 

John’s account of the risen Lord treats the Resurrection and the bestowal of  the Spirit as occurring on the same day. The locked doors, meant to secure the  disciples from those who put Jesus to death, also underscore the mysterious  character of his risen body. The image of breathing life into another is reminiscent of the creation of Adam (Genesis 2:7) and restoration of Israel after the Exile  (Ezekiel 37:9). The disciples are commissioned to go forth, to declare salvation  and judgment. With the bestowal of the Spirit, the disciples are authorized to  continue the mission of Jesus.

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