Sunday, May 20, 2018
PENTECOST SUNDAY
Acts 2:1-11 / Psalm 103:1-24,29-29-31,34 / 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7,12-13 or Galatians 5:16-25 / John 20:19-23
WELCOME THE HOLY SPIRIT INTO YOUR LIFE
Beloved, today's celebration marks the birthday of Holy Mother Church, with the Solemnity of Pentecost (the outpouring/descend of the Holy Spirit, God's ruah (Hebrew) or pneuma (Greek). Pentecost means the feast of weeks. A feast of harvest, where the people offered to the Lord, their first crops. (Exod 34:22-23). At the time of harvesting, farmers were encouraged to leave some of the crops for the poor and strangers (Leviticus 23:23). When Jesus resurrected, he still stayed on earth for forty days before his ascension. When he ascended, he, together with his Father, sent the Holy Spirit, within ten days (on the 50th day [after his resurrection]). The word Pentecost appears in Acts 2:1ff, Acts 20:16, Leviticus 23:15-21, Numbers 28:26, 1 Corinthians 16:8, etc. We end the Easter season with Pentecost Sunday and begin with season of Ordinary Time. During Jesus' earthly ministry, he talked about a number of things that would happen to him. Some of which include: his suffering, death, resurrection, ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit. These and many others actually happened as Jesus said. He promised his disciples [that he would not] leave them alone and that he would send them his Spirit (John 14:16,26). We are reminded to honor our promises.
Jesus earlier on instructed his followers to wait in Jerusalem for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit before they go out to bear witness or spread the Good News and bear useful fruits. The disciples agreed and met together to experience the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. It therefore means, it pays to be obedient and patient.
When the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples, they spoke different languages, yet, they understood one another.
God understands ALL languages. We are called upon to try to understand one another no matter our differences: culture, background, position, etc.
When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, some people may interpret us differently. Those who were around and witnessed the outpouring of the Holy Spirit were astonished and bewildered and said the apostles were drunk (Acts 2:12-13), when it was barely 9:00 am. May none of us ever get drunk with any alcohol, at any time. When we are not filled with the Holy Spirit, we are likely to see and judge others differently.
In the second reading, St .Paul says no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit. We need the Holy Spirit. We rely/depend on the Holy Spirit to lead, guide, teach, counsel, help, console... us in what we do and say. We have no power of our own. We depend on the Holy Spirit. We need to allow the Holy Spirit to inspire us to do the good, that is, to bear fruits such as love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, etc (Galatians 5:22-23). We also need the gifts of the Holy Spirit, namely, Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety and Fear of the Lord, otherwise, the evil spirit will influence us to bear fruits such as fornication, fighting, stealing etc (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). The Holy Spirit makes us turn to God with confidence and cry, "Abba" Father (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6). the Spirit enables us to say Jesus is Lord (1 Corinthians 12: 3).
Friends, in our Gospel reading, the gifts Jesus gave to his apostles when he resurrected were peace, forgiveness, love, etc. As God fills us with the Holy Spirit or renews the Holy Spirit in us, may we receive the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit. May God reawaken/stir any dead, weak, dormant Spirit in us. May we also be generous enough to share our gifts and talents with others.
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Divine Love.Send forth your Spirit and you shall be created and you shall renew the face of the earth.
May we all experience new air, zeal, dedication, growth, etc day in and day out.
BE BLESSED.
Fr.Gaa ( 0206854323/0240308878)