Creating Domestic Pentecosts

It is no wonder, then, why the peony is called both “Mary’s rose” and the “Pentecost rose.” They are, in essence, the same title. Mary was the rose of the Pentecost. Her flowering in Christ allowed the apostles to open themselves to God’s Spirit. Grace builds upon grace, joy builds upon joy. Mary’s grace and joy predisposed the apostles to receive the graces in store for them.

That Mary had an active role in Pentecost makes sense on a very human level. It is a special capacity endowed to women to set the tone of a situation. Women can make a space peaceful and open to creation, or women can make a space hurried and stress-inducing. Every wife knows that her husband’s disposition can be affected by her disposition. We are homemakers in our very bodies, in the womb. We set the tone even there: babies can receive cortisol (the stress hormone) from a pregnant woman's body, predisposing them to developmental and psychological hardships. Women exist as either Pentecost roses — allowing others to blossom in their gardens, as Mary did on Pentecost — or black holes, sucking others into a cycle of negativity, stress, and destruction.

Every mid-June at my parent’s home in Minnesota, the peonies bloom. They are stunning flowers. Manifold petals surround a bright, sweet-smelling center. They seem to sing canticles among the apple trees, sage, rhubarb, basil and tomato plants. The peonies are the jewels of the garden.

I love this radiant flower even more now that I know what it means. Peonies are traditionally called the “Pentecost rose” or Mary’s rose. Both are apt names. Pentecost is the moment in the gospel when the apostles receive the Holy Spirit, equipping them to go out into the word to spread the name of Christ. Before Pentecost, the apostles are cowardly, timid men. After Pentecost, they are fearless missionaries ready to die for their faith.

Mary likely had a role in this radical change in the apostles. According to Church Tradition, Mary was present at Pentecost. We can imagine that she stood among the Apostles as they discussed the events after the crucifixion, their voices leaden with fear. They wondered how they would convince the world of the truth of those bizarre events. It was a gargantuan task, indeed impossible for man alone. But Mary’s gentle presence disrupted the apostles’ narrative. Her closeness to Christ, reflected in her radiant beauty, inspired the apostles to accept the Holy Spirit. Suddenly — with wind like a whisper — tongues of fire descended upon them and the Holy Spirit filled their every cell.

In our homes, we can create a space for little domestic pentecosts for our husbands, children, and friends. Like Mary, we can create a space for them to receive the Holy Spirit. Our peace begets their peace; our joy begets their joy.

Do you want a bouquet of peonies that will last forever? Reach out to me at loveforsundayco@gmail.com to inquire.

In this rendering of Pentecost by El Greco, Mary appears in the middle of the Apostles as they receive the Holy Spirit.