Pentecost reflection

     It has been a busy day, thus the lateness of the post.  This morning and again in a homily this afternoon I mentioned that yesterday, at my high school Prep reunion, something exceptional happened.  Saint Vincent Prep (the high school department of Saint Vincent Archabbey) was a part of the mission of Saint Vincent from 1867 untill the early 1970's.  With that now gone, there is a desire to chronicle some of that history and experience.  They are attempting to do this through video taped oral accounts from the Prep alumni.  At lunch, the twelve in attendance from our class decided to do it as a group.  But fortunately we had to wait our turn.

     While waiting in the old Prep building, we ended up in our old study hall, reminiscing about old times, teachers, prefects, fellow prepsters, experiences.  The stories brought laughter and remembering.  We had a good time in the nearly hour wait.

     But something unexpected happened when we went in for the taping.  Instead of continuing to tell antidotes, the guys began to speak of the great Benedictine traditions that we experienced, the excellent priests and laity that gave us a tremendous high school education, the formation - intellectually, socially, spiritually, morally - that was an exceptional gift to a thirteen year old away from home for the first time.  They spoke of the foundation that we received.

     They also pointed out how this foundation allowed them to prosper in life.  A number spoke of the disciple and routine of those days and how it made it somewhat easier when they went into the military service.  Some spoke of the educational background and academic encouragement that gave them the impetus to persue degrees and teaching careers.  One spoke of how those years helped him in his capacity as head of a juvenile facility - where co-workers would remark in wonder that he knew they could make a difference in the lives of those kids.  Another spoke of his positions of responsibility in the business field, and credited Saint Vincent with paving the way.  I was impressed.  They remembered the past with mostly fondness ... they acknowledged that the blessings of those days allowed them to make a difference in the world ... but it wasn't just a "past" thing - they continue to bring the Prep experience into their relationship, their families, their work, and in all areas of their lives.

     That is what PENTECOST is to be for us - this Birthday of the Church.  It is to be a time of remembering our journey, of acknowledging the blessings of God in our lives and how those blessings have been fleshed out, but also a time of renewing, refreshing, recommitting ourselves to continue to live out the Call that each of us has received.  Pentecost is about telling our story, rejoicing in our accomplishments, and pledging to continue to live out the Gospel.  I hope it has been that for you.  I thank my classmates for helping me understand the reality of Pentecost a little better.