The Broken Silence

  Reflection for Pentecost 2019

(Acts 2:1-11)

 “When the day of Pentecost has come, they were all together in one place” (Acts 2:1). After the ascension of Jesus, the Apostles were filled with fear of the Jews. Uncertainty rained as they locked themselves up in the upper room (Acts 1:13). There was silence—cold silence—which came from lack of courage and tension. One could read the confusion on their faces. But on Pentecost day all that changed...

The Sound

“And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled the house where they were sitting” (Acts 2:2). The heavenly sound shattered the earthly silence of fear! In that instant, courage displaced fear; assurance melted away uncertainty, and he who was locked behind by doubt and faint-heartedness, stood firm in confidence and passed through open doors...The Church is born!

Heaven broke its silence, that its voice might be heard even in silence! Who can escape this thunderous sound? Even the deaf hear him; people of all languages understand in their tongue. He speaks even in our most difficult moments. God speaks of peace to His people (Ps 85:8). Jesus appeared before the apostles and said to them, “Peace be with you” (Jn 20:19). He introduces the Holy Spirit as the teacher and reveller of truth (Jn 14:26).

Tongues of Fire

 “And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them” (Acts 2:3). Now the burning bush of Moses is given to us anew (Ex 3:2). This is the fire that does not destroy but purifies and preserves God’s creation. Before now, imagine the cold hearted apostles, cloistered in the dark silent upper room! Then the fire descended...Darkness disappeared; their cold hearts warmed up, and their silent tongues loosened.

The tongues of fire melted away the barrier that kept people from each other. “And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?” (Act 2:8). With this anointing, one tongue spoke the one message in different tongues. “We hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God” (Acts 2:11). It is possible for us to understand each other. But this is possible only if the message of Christ Jesus finds its home in each of us respectively.

The Broken Silence

  “My lips shall proclaim your saving justice, your saving power all day long” (Ps 71:15). But St Paul tells us that, “No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor 12:3). Since we have been bathe by the Holy Spirit, we shall go forward and bear witness to Christ Jesus. The clearest and greatest sound has been uttered; the conspiracy of silence against truth has been shattered. The first fruit of this encounter is unity, which is borne out of a warm heart of love. The doors are open: let us go forward to showcase Christ to the world, even in silence and with our lives. The Holy Spirit is the Voice; His light is the power and courage. Veni Sante Spiritus!

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Ss Peter and Paul Catholic Church 

Tedi, Lagos. 

Sunday June 9, 2019.

The solemnity of Pentecost.