God created the universe, this world, and having created it, sustains it. As the Spirit hovered over the primal chaos, so He continues to be present in all that is. "The world is charged with the grandeur of God," said the poet, and the charge is His presence. His providence, His guidance.

Yet, in terms of His relation to the human, God was subject to diffidence, hostility, malice. And ignorance. He cannot, will not, does not over-ride human freedom. And hence is rendered powerless, to one degree or other.

And yet God is manifest in culture, in religious endeavor, in learning, in art, in science, in all of human industry and prowess, human love and human desire. What is glibly called "nature" or even "mother nature," is of course ultimately God. His first endeavor to enter, however carefully, into deeper relations with us was with Israel. And a stormy, difficult relation it was. But in the end God prevailed and the dream unfolded. And God became man, one of us, a human. With tragic consequences. Which love and mercy overcame.

And this sublime Christian story exploded into unbelievable reality in the coming of the Holy Spirit on this day, 50 days after Easter, ten days after the Ascension. Feast of the seven weeks.

History is now forever changed. God's presence among us in the Church is of a new order, another dimension, quite unlike anything before: His creative, providential omnipresence. Now He engages with the human freed of the blindness of sin, the tyranny of evil, darkness. And as long as we live in His grace, we live in His power and love. A holy priesthood, a holy people of God. And grace and light beginning at Jerusalem and spreading thence and for all time all over the world. A new creation in the Spirit.

We ought not take our priesthood lightly, this holy people of God, nor reluctant, diffident aloof, respond not to grace. For we are called to praise, to honor, glorify God as this holy people of God, anointed and consecrated to His service. His ordained priest is but an articulate expression of this whole. And as a priestly people we are to make God explicit in all life.

Looking back, it is not difficult to trace divine design. We see His handiwork revealed in the brilliance of the human mind, the potential of the human for beauty, love, wisdom, growth in all the arts. All inspired by the Spirit, able to do so much when the human is freed of sin and enlightened by grace.

Human progress through centuries is a marvel to consider and one does not consider it right unless in the light of God. Yet, we still know sin, are often in darkness, betray light and repudiate good. Evil sweeps through the world. But the light is there. And the good. And they will not perish. God abides in His Church until the end of time.

Vision is the gift of looking forward and dreaming of a better world. But wisdom comes looking back and considering. And so to learn.

Wisdom is more characteristic of the old than of the young. The young look forward. The old look back. And looking back has its rewards. Since all theology is personal, it is natural to trace one's own life's track and the marvel of God's design, His providence, His care. His love.

One is aghast at how dangerous it was, what risks taken, what boldness, how casual the browsing with evil. How splendid the kind Mercy of God Who managed to turn all to good.

That's why a man 60 years a priest, as one of our Fathers is today, does not look back, as it were, with pride and satisfaction at a job well done. No way. It is rather the bewildering realization that it was all gift, all love from God. We thought all along   as the young will do   that we had it all in hand, could take care of things, would manage. For the love of God, of course, with His help. Alas, alack! How naive. How simple-minded.

Hence, thanks. Gratitude. From our heart to His heart. Thank you very much.

And so too for God poured out on our world in such munificence. We are grateful for all. Are repentant that we have bungled so much, and still do. Out of ignorance, malice, stupidity, pride. We beg pardon. "Lava quod est sordidum. Riga quod est aridum. Sana quod est saucium." Wash filth, send rain, heal wounds.  Amen.