In the northern hemisphere we are into the months of Summer. Eastertide and the Ascension have been celebrated, and Pentecost, the feast of the Spirit of God claimed our prayer last Sunday.

 We often use phrases such as, ”in the spirit of friendship” or “in the spirit of peace”. We talk about individuals and communities sharing “in the spirit of forgiveness” after a wrong has been named. In whatever circumstance such a phrase is used it demands an inner strength from all involved.

     Last week we witnessed, in a stark and graphic manner,  the exercise of that spirit in County Sligo , when Gerry Adams, leader of Sinn Fein in Ireland shook the hand of Prince Charles, heir to the throne in the United Kingdom . Both came from an intimate knowledge of conflict in Ireland , both had experienced loss, both personal and communal. The firm grasp of a handshake was not without its difficulties for both men. It took courage.

     The consequences of the coming of the Holy Spirit to those gathered in Jerusalem was to turn cautious, frightened companions into people of courage and conviction. Their experience of the Spirit should be ours too, the fruit of our sacramental life, of our confirmation in the Spirit.

  The sign of the cross is threefold, Father, Son and Spirit. It is this Trinitarian belief that we celebrate this coming Sunday. The oft-used symbol of a dove for the Spirit should not cloud our awareness of the strength of the Spirit of God’s love in our lives

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