Last Sunday, May 20, the day of Pentecost, it was a truly apostolic day for the missionaries of the Delegation of Delhi. On this day we carried out a monthly activity, Café Tertulia, in which the universal evangelizing spirit of Pentecost was especially lived.
We have this activity monthly in a cafeteria with several friends, students of Spanish, of Hindu religion normally, to comment interesting topics, and that day we dedicated it to comment the meaning of the two celebrations of Pentecost and the Ascension.
It is an encounter that is always very enriching for all, since we reflect on a specific theme and make a comparison of similar celebrations or spiritual experiences between cultures. In this case, the reflection on the Ascension was very interesting, because at the beginning it was interpreted as abstention, in the sense of abstinence and fasting, due to a linguistic misunderstanding and they commented the custom they have in some religious communities to perform certain religious abstinence regularly, as a way of purification and interior renewal.
After clarifying the initial concept of Ascension, we reflected on the relation with their first interpretation and about the necessity of abstinence from our passions or negative tendencies, in order to maintain ourselves in this permanent ascension. With a final impression of great interest, joy and spiritual openness towards the message of Christ, one of our friends concluded with an inspired reflection on the responsibility of religions to help human beings to ascend continuously towards God, in order to live an authentic fullness and inner happiness.
