Today's Gospel in Art - The Feast of Pentecost

The Descent of the Holy Spirit, by Gustave Doré © Christian Art

Gospel of 31st May 2020 - John 20:19-23

In the evening of the first day of the week, the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them, 'Peace be with you', and showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Lord, and he said to them again, 'Peace be with you.

'As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.' After saying this he breathed on them and said:

'Receive the Holy Spirit. For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose sins you retain, they are retained.'

Reflection on the Engraving

Happy Feast of Pentecost everyone! Today we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples of Jesus. It changed their lives forever. No longer were the disciples confused; from now on they understood the plan of Salvation. No longer were they doubting; now they were bursting with faith. No longer were they timid; now they could preach confidently… So can the Holy Spirit change our own lives, in order to produce the Christ-like character in all of us we are called to.

We can't live up to the character of Jesus on our own or by our own strength. Even with the best intentions or strong willpower, we will always fail. Only through the Holy Spirit can we make the changes God wants to make in our lives. The Holy Spirit, ever present, discreetly, in quiet unassuming ways, but nevertheless gently whispering in our ear…

In our engraving today, we have the three classical depictions of the Holy Spirit:

- the dove (based on the account in Matthew 3:16: As soon as Jesus was baptised, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove);

- the rays of light (this imagery for the Holy Spirit is taken from the Annunciation announcement when the Holy Spirit came upon Mary, and she was overshadowed with the power of the Most High, Luke 1:35);

- and the small flames (the Acts of the Apostles, Acts 2:3, describes the Holy Spirit descending on the apostles as tongues spreading out like a fire appeared to them and came to rest on each one of them).

"O Holy Spirit, descend plentifully into my heart.

Enlighten the dark corners of this neglected dwelling

and scatter there, Your cheerful beams."

St Augustine (354-430)

If you haven't watched our Prayer Video for Pentecost yet, you can do so HERE

LINKS

Today's story - https://christianart.today/reading.php?id=438

Christian Art Today - www.christian.art