The hot cross buns and Easter eggs have mostly disappeared from the shelves of supermarkets. People are now looking to the next long weekend. So I ask: what are we, as Easter people, looking toward? The simple answer is Pentecost. There is, however, much that is needed before we can open our hearts to the Spirit, writes Sr Karon Donnellon RSM.

We know that the followers of Jesus would not have been happy to see Jesus initially. The story of the Road to Emmaus reveals that. It seems that on Pentecost this small gathering of the faithful had grown sufficiently to not only receive the Spirit but proclaim the resurrection. What was it in their journey that is an example to us as we look to our context and our Earth Community?

There were doubts among them as expressed by Thomas. There were wonderings and questioning from many. There was also ‘hiding’ behind closed doors. Could it be that behind these closed doors, in the searching for answers, that these followers of Jesus began to understand their mission? In a time of violence and oppression, they were able to reflect on the words of Jesus, spend time with him in this new and miraculous way and find the wisdom that was within.

Scripture leads us to understand that Jesus came and went from among them. The joy and puzzlement at his presence followed by the grief and loss at his absence. What does all this mean for us? I believe it is an invitation to rest in this time of disturbance, of not knowing, and reflect on how it impacts us. What might our response as religious and religious institutes be to such disturbance in our lives and times? The community gathered is called to transcend the disruption without falling into despair or intentional ignorance. We, in our time, are called to harness it all into a mission response to a world that is violently disrupted and thrown into turmoil.

For us to receive the grace of Pentecost we are invited to prepare just as Jesus’ followers did: by understanding that God is within and among us; by attending to the world from a place of quiet; by letting go of all that prevents us from hearing that invitation.

Sr Karon Donnellon RSM,

CRA Executive Member.