On May 19th we celebrated one of the great feasts of the church – Pentecost. John F. Kennedy in 1961, in his inaugural speech challenged the world when he said “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” He said “Let the word go forth” at the beginning of that speech.
Surely that is what the Apostles did when they went beyond the streets and alleys of Jerusalem, into the hill country of Judea and beyond, across the Mediterranean, to Greece and Rome, to Africa and Spain. They really did let The Word go forth…into every continent, to be heard in every home, to be lived in every heart. They needed to spread The Word. They needed to tell what they knew, and Who they knew…and let The Word go forth. It is quite astonishing to consider where that Word has gone, and how far and wide it is preached. What began with a few frightened people in a darkened room in Jerusalem has spilled out and touched every corner of the globe.
Our challenge today is to do our bit and keep The Word going, to remind ourselves of the rugged beginnings of this faith…and to carry it on. To follow the mandate of those very first believers. To throw open the windows of our fear and uncertainty — to let in the light — and to let The Word go forth. Probably no better way than to start with Saint John Henry Cardinal Newman’s favourite prayer: “Come Holy Spirit Make our ears to hear Make our eyes to see Make our mouths to speak Make our hearts to seek Make our hands to reach out and touch the world with your love. AMEN.”
Next week I will list some other ways in which we make the Word go forth.
