Who has seen the wind?

By Christina Rossetti
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Who has seen the wind?

Neither I nor you

But when the leaves hang trembling

The wind is passing through.

Who has seen the wind?

Neither you nor I

But when the trees bow down their heads

The wind is passing by.

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On the feast of Pentecost, we are invited to meditate on the Holy Spirit. This short poem by Christina Rossetti contrasts the invisibility of natural wind with its effects, which are clearly seen. The wind blows on leaves and on the trees, moving and changing all that comes its way.

During my time in formation this year, I have been learning to catch on to the movements of the Holy Spirit in my life. His inspirations are subtle and yet distinct, they can be ephemeral and yet at the same time, within grasp to a recollected soul. It is the Holy Spirit who gently invites me to speak and dialogue once again with my God. It is the Spirit who directs my gaze to the simplicity and beauty of our Creator revealed in the smile of a resident waiting for dinner to be served. And when God wills to change something in me, the Holy Spirit places a spotlight on that particular area, prompting me, sometimes repeatedly, to bring that area to the light and healing of God.

In this Pentecost’s Gospel reading (John 19:20-23), the disciples are in a dark place since it is evening time. Their doors are locked and they are full of fear, much like the leaves of our poem are, hanging and trembling. Sometimes we tremble with fear when God invites us to take up a new commitment or when He calls us to let go of something we have long been attached to.

It is then that Jesus comes to us. He comes into our darkness and despite our locked doors to fill us with his presence, his truth and his life-giving Spirit. We are then given the grace of courage and boldness to move forward with him into a newer, richer life.

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By Sister Faustina, OP

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