Opening the Windows

Next Wednesday, there will be Pentecost-themed children’s activities in the chancel. As I designed some signage and instructions for the various activities, I found myself lingering over which pronoun I should use when referring to the Holy Spirit.

 

In the Hebrew Bible, ruach is a feminine noun, although it is masculine in a minority of cases in some Second Temple period texts, such as occasionally in the Qumran scrolls. In Greek, pneuma is neuter, and in Latin, spiritus is a masculine noun. Thus, we can trace the noun’s grammatical journey, from the feminine, through the neuter, to the masculine.

Should the Holy Spirit be “he” or “she”? One could argue that “she” is true to the original word and emphasises the feminine aspect of God, who is beyond gender. But then, why should only the third person of the Trinity be “she”: if we compartmentalise in this way, we perhaps lose sight of the maternal, feminine aspects of God more wholistically, of God who gives birth to Israel (Deuteronomy 32:18) and of humans male and female who are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27). The gender neutral “they” may be more appropriate; certainly “it” in my opinion does not do justice to the Holy Spirit as a person.

 

The Spirit defies our categories and boundaries, challenging our inclination to limit and control, and reminds us that God is beyond our understanding. The Spirit’s power and presence can be a kind of holy disruption as well as a reassuring stillness and peace. I am reminded of the words of Pope Jean Paul XXIII in relation to the Second Vatican Council, as he called to “open the windows of the church” and welcome the fresh air of the Holy Spirit.

 

Whether we will successfully convey some of this mystery to the children as they make flame-themed crackers and balloon-powered Lego cars remains to be seen. A blessed Pentecost/Whitsun to you all