'The fullness of time and that which is beyond time...'

 

 

Dear Parish Faithful,

 

Pentecost in Greek means 50, and in the sacred biblical symbolism of numbers, the number 50 symbolizes both the fullness of time and that which is beyond time: the Kingdom of God itself.

It symbolizes the fullness of time by its first component—49—which is the fullness of seven (7 x 7): the number of time. And, it symbolizes that which is beyond time by its second component — 49 + 1 — this '1' being the new day, the "day without evening" of God’s eternal Kingdom.

With the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Christ’s disciples, the time of salvation, the Divine work of redemption has been completed, the fullness revealed, all gifts bestowed; it belongs to us now to “appropriate” these gifts, to be that which we have become in Christ: participants and citizens of His Kingdom.

Fr. Alexander Schmemann

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A kind of "sacred numerology" exists within the Church, the focus of which is not only "this world" in its creative fulness; but also in the eschaton. As we begin to draw near to the close of the great Feast of Pentecost, perhaps a good thing to keep in mind. If our troubles and sorrows increase in this world, we need to remain aware of that world "which is to come" - the never-ending day of the Kingdom of God.