Odour

Breath and Fire: how we can speak with eloquence, love, and wisdom this Pentecost.

Three saints aid our understanding of Pentecost.

St. Cyril of Jerusalem (313-386) speaks to those seeking baptism:

Already there is an odour of blessedness upon you, you who are soon to be enlightened. … Already the fragrance of the Holy Spirit has breathed upon you (Procatechesis, 1).

St. Bede the Venerable (672-735) observes:

The Holy Spirit appeared in fire and in tongues because all those whom he fills he makes simultaneously to burn and to speak – to burn because of him and to speak about him (Commentary on Acts).

St. Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621) travels deeper into the metaphor of the tongues of fire:

The tongues naturally symbolise eloquence. The heat from the fire symbolises love, while the light from the fire symbolises wisdom.

Of course, if we are to speak with eloquence, we will need an ongoing interest in spiritual reading and formation. Not lots of it, but regular input for sure.

If we are to speak with love and wisdom, we will need an ongoing interest in prayer, meditation, silence and stillness. How else is the Holy Spirit going to get at us?

People are waiting for us to speak with eloquence, love and wisdom.

Be assured.

Amen.