19- THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
		
		
		The festival of Pentecost has its roots in the Old 
		Testament. It began as a harvest feast and later added 
		the giving of the Law of Moses on Mount Sinai as the 
		"harvest" of the Old Covenant. Our Christian Feast of 
		Pentecost is celebrated on the fiftieth day after the 
		Resurrection of Christ. On this feast the Descent of the 
		Holy Spirit effected a New Covenant. It was precisely this
		descent of the Spirit which revealed to the world the 
		know- ledge of the mystery of the Holy Trinity, 
		consubstantial, undivided and yet distinct. It was the 
		fulfillment of the revelation concerning the Persons of 
		the one God as three. 
		
		
		The Icon of Pentecost is a marked contrast with the 
		biblical description of the Descent of the Spirit. The 
		Book of Acts of the Apostles (2: 2) records that "suddenly
		from up in the sky there came a noise, like a strong, 
		driving wind which was heard all through the house where 
		they were seated." In contrast, the Icon is characterized 
		by serenity and composure. The postures of the Apostles 
		reveals serenity. All of them are seated, some gesturing 
		as if in subdued conversation with one another. The gift 
		of the Holy Spirit remains the inner life of grace. The 
		event of Pentecost forms the Church and is the inauguration
		of the Kingdom of God. 
		
		
		The twelve Apostles form a semi-circle to express the 
		unity of the Mystical Body of Christ, the Church. They 
		are pictured in an inverse perspective -their figures 
		grow larger as they recede into the background. The center
		place which is unoccupied is reserved for Christ, the 
		invisible head of the Church. Some ancient icons symbolize
		Christ's invisible presence with an altar, the throne of 
		His glory. 
		
		
		The Evangelists are shown holding books; another has a 
		scroll as a sign of having received the gift of teaching. 
		Above the semi-circle, beyond the edge of the panel, there
		is a symbol of heaven from which rays or tongues of fire 
		descend. This is a sign both of the sancification of the 
		Apostles and Disciples, and of their baptism with the Holy
		Spirit and fire. 
		
		
		The world, to which the Apostles would preach, is 
		represented at the bottom of the Icon by one symbolic 
		figure of a king. He is known as  "Cosmos" as he 
		represents the whole world enveloped by sin. He sits in 
		a dark place since the whole world had formerly been 
		without the light of faith. He is bent over to show he 
		was made old by the sin of Adam. Through the power of the 
		Holy Spirit the twelve Apostles brought light to the whole
		world by their teaching. The Icon of the Descent of the 
		Holy Spirit represents the great event of sanctification 
		which took place in the apostolic community. At the same 
		time, it is an expression of the sanctification of our 
		lives in the Church by the Holy Spirit Who is constantly 
		glorified: "Treasury of Blessings and Giver of Life." 
		
		
		PRAYER -Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, You 
		are every- where present and fill all things. Treasury of 
		Blessings and Giver of Life, come and dwell within us, 
		cleanse us of all stain, and save our souls, O Gracious 
		Lord.
		
		

		I look within for all the answers I need
		
		
		There are times when we feel bad about ourselves, what we've 
		done and what we are facing. In these moments we may even 
		believe we deserve to be punished, because we are "bad" or 
		have done bad things. There are times when we feel so low, we 
		convince ourselves that we don't matter and neither does 
		anything or anyone else. That is when we usually start to 
		think about God. Is there such a thing? Does God really care? 
		Maybe if we had gone to God before, we wouldn't be where we 
		are now. No matter. We're here, so let's go. This is a prime 
		opportunity to make a new start, begin again and move on. The 
		key is to remember that no matter where we've been, what we've 
		done or how awful we feel right now, the One we may be running 
		from knows exactly where we are. He has placed a light of peace
		in our hearts. A prayer will flip the switch.
		
		
		In our deepest hour of need the Creator asks for no 
		credentials.