Tornadoes this year are not popular. They have caused far too much damage and death in our country. However, there is one tornado-like event that never fails to capture our attention, for it changed the history of the world forever in about 33 A.D. In wind and thunder and fire, in the city of Jerusalem, the Holy Spirit of God entered into the twelve Apostles, and the Catholic Church was born. From that day forward, the same Holy Spirit has entered the hearts of millions more. On the day of Pentecost, the apostles baptized in water and the Spirit about three thousand Jews, and after the Spirit had entered the house of Cornelius, they baptized Jew and Gentile. The power of the Spirit was with these totally changed men, and neither threats nor imprisonments, beatings or stoning, could prevent them from preaching with great persuasion and power. They went to whatever country or city the Spirit led them, even to Rome and beyond.

It is no wonder that the unstoppable Holy Spirit soon brought the news that Jesus, son of God and son of Mary, both divine and human, had really entered the world at the command of God the Father. This same Jesus had not only risen from the dead but had ascended back to the Father. This same Jesus now lived in all who would believe and have all been given the gifts of the Spirit to continue the building of the Church on earth.

Why hasn’t the Spirit of God, working through us, brought the whole world to belief? Because of human weakness. Because of complacency sometimes in the face of human success. We know all about that in today’s world, where the sins of leaders, both bishops and priests, have slowed the work of evangelizing. The lessening of moral discipline in society has poisoned and confused the young who are often cynical about the importance of faith. Fewer and fewer listen to and heed the authoritative teaching of the Church.

On this Pentecost, we are urgently called to re-focus our belief in the presence and daily inspirations of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit alone can give us that hope in His Power to repair what is broken, to enflame hearts who turn to Him in prayer and listening. Centuries have passed since this one “good tornado” in Palestine, but the wind and flame are as strong as ever.