Pentecost: The Spirit of God in the Finger of Morning

by Fr. Tony Okolo C.S.Sp., V.F.  |  05/24/2026  |  Weekly Reflection

Beloved Parishioners,

Happy Pentecost celebration even as I take my vacation far away from the United States, I still enjoy sharing reflections with you every Sunday to maintain that bond of love we share together. The theme of my reflection draws its central motif from the poetic imagery of the evocative hymn “Spirit of God in the Clear Running Water” by Miriam Therese Winter in 1965.

As on the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended and breathed new life on the apostles, a moment that brought holistic renewal to the Church (NRSV Acts 2:1-4). Hence, the richly poetic and theological lyrics “Spirit of God in the finger of morning” remind us of that day of renewal. The symbolism of “morning” represents new creation, resurrection and hope amidst darkness. On the other hand, the “finger” suggests God delicately touching creation, much like how the sunlight illumines the earth. Thus, the hymn communicates a theology of God’s immanence: God is not distant, he is mysteriously present within us, whispering through nature and history.

The Holy Spirit has come to renew the face of the earth. The feast of Pentecost stands as one of the most radiant mysteries in the life of the Church. Before the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles, the upper room once shrouded in fear and uncertainties, suddenly became a furnace of divine fire. Like the dry bones in Ezekiel’s vision (NRSV 37:1- 10), the apostles were transformed from trembling followers into blazing witnesses of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, Pentecost is not a mere memory lost in history; it is the heartbeat of the Church, the breath of God moving swiftly through weary souls, perplexed families and broken nations today.

The Holy Spirit descended not merely as a gentle symbol of faith, but as a consuming flame that unsettles complacency and awakens holiness of life. According to Saint Augustine (Hill, 1993), through the Holy Spirit scattered humanity is gathered into one family: communion of love, reversing the confusion of the Tower of Babel. So, when the Holy Spirit takes possession of us, cold hearts blaze, timid tongues sing, and faith moves from the head to the marrow of the soul. Similarly, John Chrysostom (1889) compared Pentecost to a mighty river overflowing its bank, carrying divine grace into the desert of the human heart. Hence, our hearts of stone will be replaced with a heart of flesh. It is indeed our mission to evangelize the world through the power of the Holy Spirit. I encourage you to preach “Lumen Gentium,” go beyond the comfort of your closed doors and become the light in the world. I pray that the gift of the Holy Spirit may help us to love, be our consoler and delightful guest. Father of the poor, heal our wounds and give us joy which never ends, Amen.

Holy Spirit, our life and love!