6.6.2025

What it means

Pentecost, which, from the word meaning "fifty," always comes fifty days after Easter, is considered by Christians to be the moment of the founding of the Church. This day commemorates the biblical tradition that, according to it, the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles in tongues of fire and as a dove, enabling them to speak to people in different languages to convince them of the Christian faith.

The question of who or what the Holy Spirit actually is has occupied scholars and the Christian and Jewish religions, or their denominations, for centuries. From early understandings such as the breath of God that makes human life possible, interpretations in Hebrew developed toward spiritual state, mood, attitude, and outlook, and in early Christianity toward the enlightenment of the mind, without this list being exhaustive. Things get more casual when one wishes the other person the work of the Holy Spirit, or when, in some discussions, a "Lord, throw brains from heaven" is uttered.

Mood

Terms like mood, stance, and attitude are also current question marks. When talk shows, especially in Germany, give the impression that this country is in a dramatic state of disrepair, it dampens the mood. When one considers that Germany is one of the richest countries in the world and is envied by many for its problems, this actually justifies a more positive mood.

Stance

When a war of aggression raging in Europe is viewed as a rather uncomfortable and expensive burden far away, with disturbing images in the living room, which should not be financed any further, that is a very comfortable stance. When awareness spreads in Europe of the far-reaching threat to the West posed by Eastern dictatorships, a threat that has been evident for decades, when Europe wakes up, becomes independent, and begins to arm itself against this threat, that is a new and encouraging stance.

Attitude

When an unfortunate comment, a different opinion, an unflattering appearance, being Jewish again, or simply "being different" erupts in escalating shitstorms and hate comments, it reveals a frightening attitude toward other people. An open and respectful—which does not mean uncritical—attitude toward other people, opinions, behaviors, or habits is not only necessary for a community, be it global, alliance, country, city, village, family, or relationship, but also improves one's own quality of life. Quite simply: outrage and hatred are exhausting and (self-) destructive.

Enlightenment

While enlightenment of the mind sounds ethereal and somewhat meditative, it couldn't be more relevant today. The realization that after "foreigners out," there will be no more taxi drivers, no more hospital care, no more house and apartment construction, no more tailoring, no more garbage collection, etc., etc., is actually not difficult. The realization that if you view and treat all other countries in the world as enemies, you will no longer be seen as a friend is actually not far off either. Even the recognition of the repetitive mechanisms and patterns of Russian propaganda, which spins like an endless record and feeds on the clouding of common sense, is possible.

Mood, stance, attitude, and enlightenment are worth reflecting on this weekend as well.

We wish you all a happy Whitsun.