May 25, 2025 Essay: A Reason to Dance

In two weeks, the Church will celebrate the Feast of Pentecost. In some respects, Pentecost is like Christmas. At Christmas we celebrate the coming among us of God the Son in Jesus. On Pentecost, we celebrate the coming of God the Holy Spirit to the apostles to be with the Church as long as the world lasts. The physical Jesus has left our world, but the Holy Spirit is here to stay. So Pentecost gives us much to rejoice and be glad about.

I am reminded of the beginning of a poem that speaks of the excitement of Pentecost.

Start with my toes
you old Ghost
Spirit the soles of my shoes
and teach me a Pentecostal
Boogaloo
Sprain my ankles with dancing
Sandal around my feet,
to roam with me in the rain
and feel at home in my footprints.

What the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost did for the apostles – roaming around with them and at home in their footsteps—is what the Spirit does for the Church in every age. The clearest description of the work of the Spirit was given by St. Paul in his letter to the Galatians: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Any Christian community is at its strongest when these gifts shine forth.

I am sure we all know people who typify for us one or more of these marvelous qualities. Take, for example, this obituary notice in The New York Times of the death of a Jesuit priest: Hart, Daniel J., S.J. Your Christianity has been a source of inspiration to countless retreatants. You never judged. You only loved. Thank you for having touched our lives.

He never judged. He only loved. Surely this was God shining forth in him.

There is a special prayer that is part of the liturgy of Pentecost. Normally, this comes just after the second scripture reading. It is known as the Sequence. Let me share with you an original translation of the Pentecost Sequence – the work of a modern classics scholar.

Come Holy Spirit and send out a ray of your uplifting light.
Come, Father of the poor, Giver of gifts,
Source of enthusiasm,
Best Comforter, gentle of hearts,
In time of activity – calm
In time of confusion – peace
In time of sorrow – comfort.
Blessed light of awareness, renew the hearts of your faithful.
Without your guidance we have nothing, nothing is undeserved.
Clarify what is unclear for me, heal what is hurt.
Make what is inflexible in me elastic, what is frightened in me fearless,
What is inconsistent in me, constant.
Grant your gifts of peace to all who trust in you.
Give a reward of courage, perseverance and eternal joy.

As we prepare for the great Feast of Pentecost, may you experience deep within you the peace of God’s Holy Spirit.

— William J. Bergen, S.J.