A First Post-Easter Sunday Thought to Start This Week Off

Good-bye Easter! Your glorious Season has ended. Now we're in "Post-Easter."

What's "Post-Easter"? It's a generic way to capture the bifurcation of the Novus Ordo (new rite) and the Vetus Ordo (old rite). The new rite, being newfangled, dubs the Sundays after Easter - and all other days - "Ordinary Time." The old rite - that venerable rite whose roots trace back to at least Pope St. Gregory the Great (hence sometimes called the Gregorian Rite) - dubs Sundays "after Pentecost."

I prefer the latter. Why?

Among other reasons, the "after Pentecost" emphasizes the importance of and profound impact on all our lives of Pentecost. When the Holy Spirit descended upon Our Lord's disciples, after His Ascension, they were dramatically changed. From the sadness with a dash of fear that characterized them when they were "abandoned" by their beloved Jesus upon His ascent to the Father, we find them "super-charged" with the desire to evangelize the world. And isn't that what Our Lord charged them to do?

Notice how Jesus first tells them, then provides the help they need to live up to the awesome, somewhat intimidating task of converting the world to become faithful followers, members of Holy Church, and therefore of His Mystical Body. He doesn't just drop a bomb on them and walk away. He first prepares them - after which comes the fiery tongues, the speaking in different languages, surrounded by the light and inspiration of that first Pentecost.

The rest, as they say, is history.

So the consistent reminder of Pentecost in the Vetus Ordo does seem to make a lot of sense, doesn't it? On the flip side, the dropping of this customary naming of the Sundays after Pentecost may serve to de-emphasize the importance of Pentecost. 

Think I'm exaggerating that Pentecost has been de-emphasized - perhaps by design? Note this: In the old rite Pentecost has always had an "Octave." That's eight full days, starting with the feast day, where the original feast is, as it were, extended so that we can bask in and benefit from the special graces that flow from it. In the newfangled rite, the Octave was dropped. Why? Isn't Pentecost worthy of an Octave?

And lest we're tempted to think (tapping the dialogue from "The Godfather") that "It's nothing personal; it's just business," consider the lesson each of us can - really ought - to learn from Pentecost.

We witness Our Lord promising to send the "Paraclete" to His disciples after His Ascension. Indeed, He tells them that it is expedient that He leave them then in order for the Paraclete to come to them. Whether they understood Him at the time is doubtful. But on that first Pentecost, Jesus's words leapt to life.

What lesson do we derive for our own lives?

Just as Jesus sent His Holy Spirit to His disciples to given them the light, the strength, the courage to do His bidding, so does He provide the Holy Spirit to each of us. He does this so that we may persist in our daily struggle to be holy, to grow closer to Him

In the face of the world, the flesh, and the devil, this can be a daunting task at times. Distractions and temptations abound, sometimes form the moment we awaken until we fall asleep at the end of the day. No matter. If we are in the state of grace, the Holy Spirit dwells within our souls. He will be that source of light, strength, and courage.

The thing is, do we acknowledge this? Do we live each day aware of His Presence, gratefully accepting the "Gifts" that His infinite Love showers upon us:

...the Spirit of Wisdom, that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal; the Spirit of Understanding, to enlighten my mind with the light of Thy Divine truth; the Spirit of Counsel, that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining Heaven; the Spirit of Fortitude, that I may bear my cross with Thee and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation; the Spirit of Knowledge, that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints; the Spirit of Piety, that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable; the Spirit of Fear, that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. (from the Novena to The Holy Spirit)

Who in their right minds would not gladly seek such treasures?

Many of us who seek to develop a close relationship with Jesus, or God the Father, have been less successful in developing a close relationship with the Holy Spirit. We talked about this a bit on Pentecost Sunday (last Sunday). But that should not discourage or defer us from seeking that close relationship. Look at those Gifts He offers to all of us. Spend some time to understand exactly what each means (read above), especially if you're not already familiar with them.

It's after Pentecost, but if you didn't pray the Novena to the Holy Spirit, I suppose there's no law saying you can't do that now. Maybe that could help deepen your familiarity with this Third Person of the Blessed Trinity.

Anyway, just some suggestions. Hope you found them helpful.

Meanwhile, I need to deepen my understanding and love of the Holy Spirit on this first post-Easter Sunday.

Happy 1st Sunday after Pentecost!