THE feast of Pentecost marks, among other things, the overcoming of the divisions described in the Old Testament account of the Tower of Babel.
The front page (CL 11/05/08) story describing the developing relationship with the Nigerian diocese of Umuahia is particularly relevant in this context.
To us living in Brisbane we can only be astounded at what are the cultural and religious catalysts and drivers in that diocese such that there are 600 seminarians.
It reminds me that only 60 years ago priests came from Ireland to pastor in Australia because there were no vacant parishes for the new priests.
The late Fr Denis Power, formerly of Rosalie Jubilee community, was one such case.
Now vocations in Ireland have numerically collapsed. Is Nigeria the “new Ireland”?
Pentecost gives us the hope to face our latest challenges.
That is why it is also providential that on Pentecost the Australian bishops have chosen to institute a change in the rubrics of the Mass that is also culturally astounding in its impact for the continued co-operation of priest and lay in spreading the Gospel.
The change will further cement our unity.
The lay are now permitted to stand, along with the priest, for the prayer at the opening of the Offertory prayers.
Standing is culturally a “priestly posture”. This change is the result of the lay being led by the bishops to recognise and enact our universal priesthood gained at Baptism.
This change also reinforces the symbolic meaning of standing for the Gospel reading. The Gospel can only be proclaimed in reading by the priest or deacon.
However the posture of standing by the lay congregation highlights our common priesthood of proclamation by virtue of Baptism.
Noticeably it is also both priest and people that adopt a posture of sitting for the readings.
The posture of kneeling for the laity as a sign of obeisance is now reserved solely to those actions where Christ is the unique and unrepeatable focus in the Eucharistic prayers.
At no time in recent history has the common goal of priest and people been so positively affirmed.
Let us pray for the continued grace of Pentecost to overcome other divisions of Babel proportions.
VINCE HODGE
Paddington, Qld
