Acts 2: 1-11, 1Cor. 12: 2-7, 12-13, John 20:19-23
1. Pentecost is a fundamental celebration IN our liturgical year. And should have an air of FESTIVENESS about it. When Baptised we were brought into the MYSTERY of Jesus’ life AND into the MISSION of the Church He started. And when Confirmed, we were to take on FULL responsibility for all that it means. Pentecost AND the Holy Spirit go hand in hand, so the church asks to evaluate how we are doing with the Share of the MISSION we were given. And then to evaluate how well we are using the TOOLS/GIFTS we get through these sacraments.
2. It is evident that early in the life of the Church, special CHARISMS or SIGNS of the Holy Spirit were the impetus to start the MISSION of the Church. From the Gospel we understand, that while the apostles received the Holy Spirit and a mandate to ‘Forgive Sins’, in the first meeting with Jesus the day of the Resurrection; it wasn’t until FIFTY DAYS later as described in the 1st reading, that the power of the Holy Spirit was seen in PUBLIC MANIFESTATIONS. Pentecost is held as the Birthday of the Church. So the ‘TONGUES of FIRE’ STIRRED the gathered Apostles into ACTION. It enabled them to MOVE OUT into the public square. Lead by Peter, they began to SPEAK to Jewish foreign visitors in their LANGUAGE about the Kingdom of God. This IMPRESSED and AMAZED the people assembled on that FESTIVE DAY. They then not only HEARD the message ABOUT forgiveness of sins, but now they too could began their CATHOLIC mission to ‘build the Kingdom of God’ upon returning to home.
3. The 2nd reading shows us that the Holy Spirit continued to SHOWER GIFTS on the infant Church as it MOVED out to the GENTILES. This was necessary to prove to the pagans, that the Christian religion was from the ‘REAL GOD’. The pagans had their local gods to whom supernatural powers were FALSLY attributed. The God of the Christians had REAL GIFTS and they were distributed freely by the Holy Spirit when occasion demanded. St. Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians is emphasizing that these gifts are not given to an individual for his honor or glory, but to help to build up the Body of Christ or kingdom of God.
One of the first tests of the genuineness of a gift or a teaching from the Holy Spirit was CONFORMITY with the Christian FAITH. If any man claimed he was moved by the Holy Spirit to blaspheme Jesus, he was evidently a liar and a fraud. On the other hand, he who sincerely professed that Christ was God, was moved by the Holy Spirit. FAITH was one among many gifts of the Holy Spirit. All the gifts given to the early Christian converts were from the same Holy Spirit and each had a special purpose. The GIFTS to help administer the affairs of the early Christian communities was truly needed. Each person might also received a gift for another task. Gifts that Help you tend the SICK, feed the POOR, call the ASSEMBLIES together, explain the FAITH, or the power to HEAL. All different ministries, but Paul tells us, they all came from the same God.
4. The Gospel today makes it very clear, that while we all have a stake and a task in that mission, one of the GREATEST GIFTS is the ability to FORGIVE sins. The Gospel shows that gift comes to us only through the FOUNDATION of the Apostles. And is extended to us through the Priesthood.
Jesus came and stood in their midst. “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” It was at that moment that the GREAT GIFT of the mission of the church was authorized to be TAUGHT, OFFERED and GIVEN.
5. To receive the Holy Spirit in itself is GIFT. Only under His guidance will we each be able to evaluate our perspective on what it means to be Catholic. Have we lost site of the Mission? Are we cowering in fear or can you give a bold answer to the issues of the day? Have we downplayed the manifestations of the CHARISMS of the Holy Spirit in the public square or are you PROUD to be Catholic? Do you fully utilize the GIFTS or FRUITS of the Holy Spirit in your life?
To ALLOW or WANT the Holy Spirit to be apart of your life, you must put yourself in position where it can happen. To be in sync with the Teachings of the Church or to increase your level of participation: integrate the study of Scripture, Receive the Sacraments and go to Mass to hear the Word of God, and deepen the fervor of your prayer life. And to help the Holy Spirit be a part of the lives of the people around you, in your homes, workplaces, and neighborhoods, know that the Holy Spirit wants you to ‘Lead by Example’. People, especially children who see their parents, learning and living the faith will inherit the love for being a Catholic and building the Kingdom of God. The BEST good we owe others is based on three things: Example of God the Father, Example of God the Son, and Example of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
6. To close I want you to take notice of how the Holy Spirit is working in Pope Frances Pontificate already. A pope elected from outside Europe. A pope who lives outside the Papal Palace. A pope who for the 1st time is a 1000 years had the Patriarch of Constantinople, Patriarch Bartholomew, the ‘first among equals’ in the Orthodox Church, at his inauguration. A pope who washes the feet of women. A pope who walks in Right to life marches.
Pope Francis to me, is a ‘TONGUE of FIRE’ over the head of Bishops, Priests, Deacons, Religious and laity. He is a pope who speaks the language of every nation in His Example. He is not better than John Paul II or Benedict XVI. Each was or is a different manifestation of the same Holy Spirit. And together their Example and ours, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we will ignite the NEW EVANGELIZATION of the Church to build the Kingdom of God and Forgive Sins. What are you waiting for? Let’s take it to the streets. Happy Pentecost!!!
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