At the Appointed Time

On the Feast of Pentecost, Abp. Irineos speaks on the sending of the Holy Spirit as the culminating act in the gradual revelation of the Holy Trinity.  Drawing on the Festal Oration of St. Gregory Nanzianzen, Abp. Irineos suggests that the revelation of the Trinity to mankind over time reflects a cautious approach of the Father and of Christ, such that man was burdened only with so much as he could bear.Thus, we see the day of Pentecost as that appointed time in which mankind, having encountered the Father and having seen the Son, is now prepared to receive the Spirit in its Divinity, so that we may be drawn to our loving God, for the salvation of our souls.