I have a problem with this liturgical season. That’s because our first readings are taken from the Acts of the Apostles. These readings describe a young, lively church that’s bursting out. There are brave public declarations, mass conversions, persecutions, miracles, and missions.
It’s all good stuff. But it tricks us into thinking that this is what the church was like straight after Jesus’ resurrection. But it wasn’t. All these exciting episodes are post-Pentecost.
Jesus remained on earth with his followers for forty days before the feast of Pentecost and the descent of the Holy Spirit. And we know almost nothing about this critical forty days in the church’s history. We have hints – for example, that Jesus once appeared to a very large group of people (1 Cor 15:6).
Matthew’s Gospel jumps straight from the resurrection to the ascension and the command to go out and baptise. Some versions of Mark briefly mention Emmaus, Jesus appearing and rebuking the Eleven, and then the ascension. Luke describes Emmaus in more detail.
He also says that Jesus appeared to his disciples, “opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures”, and told them about the imminent arrival of the Holy Spirit (Lk 24).
John describes three detailed appearances of the risen Jesus (Jn 20-21). But he also says that he hasn’t written down everything that happened. He says, “Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book” (Jn 20:30), and “Jesus did many other things as well” (Jn 21:25).
Luke hints a little more in Acts: “He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.” (Acts 1:3). But what exactly did he talk about? What signs did he perform? And what things weren’t written down? And why?
Forty days is always significant in our history as the people of God. It’s always about testing, renewal, and laying new foundations.
Moses spent forty days on Sinai with God, being taught the law and the new rites of worship that formed the core of Judaism. And Jesus spent forty days in the desert preparing for his mission of saving the world.
I think these hidden forty days are all about Jesus still at work on earth before he ascends to heaven, forming the church as the new People of God. This was now the most important transition in salvation history. It’s the point towards which everything was leading.
Forming the church as his body and his bride was a core part of Jesus’ mission. He’s died and risen – but his work on earth isn’t quite done yet.
We are told twice in the Gospels that after his resurrection, Jesus had to open his disciples’ minds to understand the scriptures, because they simply weren’t grasping what had happened.
Luke says something similar in Acts, where the disciples are still asking when Jesus is going to restore the kingdom of Israel (Acts 1:6). But by the time Jesus ascends to heaven, Peter understands enough to call for the election of a new twelfth apostle, which takes place before Pentecost (Acts 1:15-26).
So something has clearly changed. Something has taken root which is going to grow under the influence of the Holy Spirit. Imagine how much Jesus could have taught them in forty days, like God taught Moses on Sinai.
So many key Catholic doctrines – the purpose of what we call the Mass; the real presence; the veneration of Mary; the structure of bishops, priests, and deacons; Peter’s leadership – appear very early in the church’s history. Is this where they came from?
This also means that the descent of the Holy Spirit was not an abrupt change or lively interruption in the church’s history. Instead, it followed an intensive formation period when Jesus’ followers were prepared by him directly to receive this huge grace.
Some people like to talk about the Holy Spirit as if he’s slightly out of control. They see him as descending at random and making people do weird and unconventional things under his influence.
It’s true that Pentecost lights a bonfire in the apostles – but the fuel had been collected and heaped up first under Jesus’ direct tuition before his ascension. This should help us to see the Holy Spirit as woven directly into the fabric of the church from its very beginning, not as a rogue element outside of it.
The Holy Spirit is always conformed to the life, mission, and activity of the Trinity. Always was, always will be. There’s a lot to chew on here, but I find it deeply reassuring.
