on the eve of Pentecost

I have come to understand that being present at Mass calls for action, not for merely sitting and waiting to be entertained. It's not about being entertained. It's not about what we can get out of it. It's about what we're doing to praise God during the re-presentation of His most Holy Sacrifice, the one in which He died a horrific death for our sins because He loved (loves) us so much, the depth of which we can't even wrap our minds around.

Tonight, I had the great privilege to work with two wonderful musicians at the Pentecost vigil Mass. Something very, very beautiful happened among us! I prayed that the congregation felt it, too, and would join in our prayer, and I think they did in a very big way. I had asked John and Krista if they'd be willing to sing "By the Waking of Our Hearts" by Fr. Ricky Manalo as a duet for the prelude. That's where it all began. The three of us were like one voice but with distinct parts. It reminded me of the Trinity, but in human terms and only within my limited understanding. Then, we sang a beautiful hymn for the opening by David Haas, called "Send Us Your Spirit". I could tell people were really singing! Then, the Sprinkling Rite and the Gloria. (We/I took the Gloria at warp speed...I think it was an adrenalin rush...or maybe a Holy Spirit rush! Even, I, the speed demon of church hymnody, was sort of amazed how it took off! The whole congregation seemed to be keeping up through the entire thing.) The Psalm, number 104, "Lord, Send Out Your Spirit" became a hymn of unity as the two cantors sang the verses in unison, with the congregation joining their song for the refrain. We sang/played the Pentecost Sequence that Fr. Manalo wrote, which is a very, very beautiful piece. It has two cantor parts and then the congregation and choir come in for the Gospel Acclamation. (I was getting goose bumps through it all and was afraid I wouldn't be able to play!) "Praise the Spirit in Creation" became a contemplative prayer during the Preparation of the Gifts. I realized, too late, that I needed to program a second hymn during that time, due to Father incensing the altar and the gift bearers taking longer than usual to process up to the altar. Tomorrow, we will sing "Come, Holy Ghost" as a second hymn. There should be an easy transition into it as it is in the same key as the first and has the same kind of feel to it, plus all the older folks will enjoy singing it, as it is a hymn from their youth. (I guess I'm in that bracket, too, given it was part of my youth!) The Communion hymn was "We Are Many Parts...we are all one body and the gifts we have, we are given to share." What a perfect hymn for God's call on this Pentecost to go out and share His love to all the world! And, then, the final hymn: "Veni, Sancte Spiritus" from the Taizé Community. It has an ostinato refrain in Latin...congregation and choir keep singing it over and over as the cantor sings verses from the Sequence over it. Talk about powerful! John told me afterward that Father told him that that was sung at his ordination and he loved it very much. And, I pray that the people who were there, sitting in the pews, were not looking to be entertained but rather were there, participating in the prayers and the music and listening closely to the Word and Father's homily. It seems to me that engaging in all those things could make the reception of Holy Communion be something so internally profound that a person couldn't help but be changed by the experience. That's how it felt for me tonight as I walked (floated!) out the door of the church.

This experience made me think of the apostles living behind locked doors, when suddenly Jesus came to them, saying: "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." Then, He breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit." I wonder what they thought. Did they break out in song together, the way we do at Mass? Was the Holy Spirit breathing new life into their songs, lifting their spirits so they could leave the room, renewed in faith, resolved to take His love out into the world? Did the Holy Spirit bestow on them His gifts of Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety and Fear of the Lord? I have a strong suspicion He did! And, I always pray He will give them to me as I go out the door of the church after Mass and that I will be infused with the Spirit of Love.

We are very blessed to be loved by such a Holy Spirit!