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Homilies are posted no later than during the week
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Pentecost |
Pentecost - A Cycle - John 20:19-23
A violin made by the 17th century Antonio Stradivari
came on the market in London. It was valued at $7 million dollars. Two
points made it valuable: firstly it's a Stradivari and secondly in 200
years it had been hardly played. The Holy Spirit is our Stradivari. He
has restyled us with His graces at Baptism and Confirmation. But we
don't make use of them.
Everyone Mother Teresa told us is a pencil in God's
hand. But He gets little writing from most of us.
We Westerners should blush at today's
Pentecost. Two thousand years ago our ancestors worshipped trees. They
attempted to stay warm without fire in damp caves. They hadn't yet
invented the wheel. But this was not the case with the sophisticated
people of India, the Middle East, and North Africa. They were lining up
by the thousands waiting patiently to be baptized with the Holy Spirit
by the Apostles & Co.
The Pentecost story comes out of Acts of the
Apostles. Its nimble prose is almost a daily history of the early
Church. The Acts are a historian's delight.
The word Pentecost is borrowed by us from the
Jews. So too are other elements in our Liturgy. We owe much to the Jews
and their genius. We even borrowed Jesus from them. If Christians are
anti-Semites, they are guilty of short memories.
Originally Pentecost was a great Jewish feast.
The Jews
never took any gift from God for granted. They spent quality time
thanking God for the first crops. The holy day was celebrated fifty
days after Passover.
We celebrate Pentecost fifty days after the
Resurrection
of Christ. We salute not the appearance of tomatoes in our gardens but
rather the arrival of the Holy Spirit on the founding members of
Christianity. Today our Christian ancestors were confirmed in the
Spirit. The terrible beauty that is the international Church was born.
Is there any wonder we shoot off liturgical fireworks at Pentecost?
At the point we discuss, the Jesus followers
were leaderless. They were scared. They were short on bodies but not
brains. They numbered one hundred forty timid souls - the apostles,
Mary, and unnamed individuals. This was hardly a group equipped to take
over the world. They clung to each other like fly paper. They were in
the large room which had been the scene of the Last Supper.
It was to these frightened souls the Holy
Spirit came with His wagon load of gifts. They discovered that
Christianity was not designed to be a do it yourself affair. (Daniel
Durkin) In charismatic language, they were slain in the Spirit. They
began to feel like super strong people. They found themselves ready to
take on the cosmos. They heard each other speaking in foreign tongues.
These languages would be their passports to evangelize the world.
What happened to them that first Pentecost? Take a
glass of clear water. Drop in a few drops of red dye. Ah, red water. A
new creation. A few drops of the Holy Spirit into our souls and they
became a new creation. A little bit of the Holy Spirit will take us a
long way.
The Holy Spirit was already the electricity causing
the light to burn but remaining invisible. (Regis
Armstrong)
The bedlam occurring in the Upper Room was heard.
Someone dialed 911 and a mob assembled. It was an international crowd.
They watched the freshly confirmed apostles rush from the Upper Room.
They spoke in various tongues about Jesus. The Church was jumping into
the fast lane. The world would never be the same.
Many say, "If the Holy Spirit gave us the same
gifts, what a job we'd pull off for Christ! We'd turn our town upside
down." The good news is that we received the same cornucopia of gifts
at Baptism and Confirmation. These were our personal Pentecosts. The
bad news is that we have never thrown the on switch to use these gifts.
Most of them sleep. Think of the Holy Spirit as the generous uncle
everyone wants. He loads us down with wonderful gifts at our Baptisms
and then doubles the ante at Confirmation.
But the gifts become like the Stradivari violin in London. Though
increasing in value, they are hardly used.
Today is a good day to blow the dust off our spirits
and play sweet music. The Spirit will assist us. He is the master of
surprises making the impossible possible. He reminds us it does not
require great people to do great things - just unselfish ones.
(Patricia Opatz) This Pentecost become God's well worn pencil. Leave
your signature on the world.
Jesus does not need lawyers. He needs witnesses.
(Paul VI)
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http://www.st.ignatius.net/pastor.html
Pentecost
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Pentecost: All Different, All One
When
I think ofPentecost Sunday, I have to remember Pentecost of
1984.I was a young priest then, visiting Rome with my
parents.I was able to assist Pope John Paul II at the solemn
Pentecost Mass in St. Peters Basilica. It was just me and the Pope, and
about 65 other priests, a dozen or so cardinals, an assortment of
bishops and about 10,000 people. Boy did I behave!There is quite
a lot I could tell you about the experience, but what really hit me was
the universality of the Church. Thepriests who assisted were
from all over the world.The Pope gave his homily in several
languages and then confirmed people from all over the world. I was and
still am fascinated by the way that we are so different one from the
other; yet we are all the same in our faith.
When
on Pentecost Sunday the Apostles first proclaimed the Christian
message, they presented the Gospel to people from all over the world
yet were heard speaking in their own languages.The Greeks heard
the message in Greek, the Persians in Farsi, the Romans in Latin, the
Jews in Hebrew or Aramaic, etc.Although the people who heard the
message were from all over, the message itself united them into one
people.This was and is the work of the Holy Spirit, forming us
into One Person, the Body of Christ.Thus St. Paul tells the
Corinthians, "We are all different, we have different gifts, we do
different things, but we are untied in the Holy Spirit into One Body.”
Pluralism is not an exception in the Church, it is the norm.As
an example of pluralism consider the type of experiences that we had
right here in the United States.There are Hispanic Catholics,
Black Catholics, and White Catholics, Asian Catholics, Byzantine
Catholics, etc.Issues affecting women as women, men as men,
youth, children, the sick, and the elderly are all discussed regularly.
The very word Catholic means universal.
All
of us together are formed by the Holy Spirit in the one Body of
Christ.We have to get away from the thought that someone or some
group is rather an exception than a norm in the Church.
There is no one normal group in the Body of Christ.We are all
united by the Holy Spirit to make up this Body.All partake of
the heart of the Body's existence.
So
also in our parish.There are hundreds of people who are part of
the ministries of our parish. Some are talented teachers, some are
musically talented, some visit the sick and homebound, some welcome
inquirers, some work with our young people, some serve in a
liturgical position. I could go on and on. None of these
ministers are on the fringe of the parish.All make up the heart
of the parish because we are all united by the Holy Spirit.
As Catholics we don't just put up with each other's differences, we
value each other's differences as a unique manifestation of the Holy
Spirit without which our faith body would be incomplete.
Now
I have always been tempted to think that people who don't see things as
I do are probably wrong. The big trouble with that is that everyone,
thank God, is not like me.Everyone has not had the same
experiences that I have had.Nor have I had their
experiences.They don't know what it is like to have grown up in
the Italian American culture. Nor do I know what it is like to be able
to say, "My ancestors first came to this country in the 17th century."
They don't know what it is like to have been on the edge for having
pushed too hard, as I have foolishly done at times, nor do I know what
it is like to have been on the edge for having to undergo a split at
home, as many others have had in their lives.Even more
fundamental.I don't know what it is like to view life as a
woman, nor do women know what it is like to view things like a
man.
Yet
the Holy Spirit unites all different viewpoints to make the Body of
Christ complete. Therefore, it would be as wrong for me to impose my
individual perceptions on others, as it would be for others to demand
that I see things through their eyes. The message that comes clear to
us at Pentecost is that we must respect each other's differences.
We have all been gifted with unique manifestations of the Spirit.
The Church is stronger for our letting the Spirit live in our
lives.Without the Holy Spirit we would be a disorganized
mob.With the Holy Spirit we are the Body of Christ.
On
Pentecost Sunday, the Church was born.The Holy Spirit united
different people into the one Body of Christ.We, the members of
the Body of Christ, benefit from our differences one from the
other.May we allow the Holy Spirit to flow through our lives so
that our respect for each other's uniqueness might itself draw more
people to become members of His Body.
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http://www.geocities.com/seapadre_1999/
* available in Spanish - see Spanish
homilies
Pentecost
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Double Gift
(May 11, 2008)
Bottom line: The double gift of the Holy Spirit enables us to love God
and neighbor.
Today is Pentecost Sunday - the Feast of the Holy Spirit. This Feast
brings the fifty days of Easter to a conclusion. Perhaps you have
noticed something odd: The Easter season not only concludes with
pouring out the Holy Spirit - it begins with a similar event. On that
first Easter Sunday evening, Jesus appeared to his disciples and
breathed on them, saying, "Receive the Holy Spirit."
Jesus imparts the Holy Spirit on two different occasions. Why does he
do that? St. Augustine has an interesting response to the question.
"Perhaps this double giving of the Holy Spirit," he says, "was done in
manifestation of the two commandments of love, that is, of neighbor and
of God, in order that love might be shown to belong to the Holy
Spirit."*
Most Christians know that we cannot love God without the Holy Spirit.
Our human nature naturally rebels against God. We want to do our own
thing - my way, not God's way. We feel an inner guilt that makes us run
from God. Like Adam in the garden, we hide from him. Because of that
guilt, we need the Holy Spirit. He gives peace and pardon. When a
person goes to confession, the priest says, "God, the Father of
mercies...has sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of
sins..." A gulf exists between us and God, but the Holy Spirit carries
us over it.
Not only does the Holy Spirit free from guilt; he prays within us. St.
Paul says, "We do not know how to pray, but the Spirit intercedes for
us with inexpressible groanings." It might seem strange to say it this
way, but when we pray, God speaks to God. God the Holy Spirit - through
Jesus - prays to the Father on our behalf. Yes, it appears odd, but
when you think about it makes sense. It really cannot be otherwise. As
creatures - sinful, fallen ones at that - we can hardly presume to a
relationship with the Creator of the universe. But the Holy Spirit
lifts us up. By him we become sons and daughters.** The Holy Spirit
enables us to walk with God, to love God.
As St. Augustine indicates, the Holy Spirit not only makes us capable
of loving God; he also enables us to love our neighbor. I am not
talking about luv: l-u-v. It is natural to be attracted to someone who
is pleasant and agreeable. But to love the person who disagrees and who
offends, that is something else. It requires forgiveness. Just as we
need the Holy Spirit to receive forgiveness, so also we need him extend
forgiveness. The Holy Spirit enables us to love our neighbor as he is.
Let me briefly sum up what I have said so far: As creatures and as
sinners, we need the Holy Spirit to have a relationship with God, to
love Him. We also need the Holy Spirit to love our neighbor in the
deepest way - by forgiveness and acceptance. Because of that - as St.
Augustine says - it is appropriate that there are two gifts of the Holy
Spirit.
Interestingly enough, in our sacramental life we receive the Holy
Spirit on two separate occasions. At baptism, the Holy Spirit changes
us into children of God. Then comes Confirmation when we are "sealed
with gift of the Holy Spirit." He is a double gift.
I would like to tie this in with Mother's Day. The most Spirit-filled
person in the Gospel was a mother - the Blessed Virgin Mary. She also
received the Holy Spirit as a double gift: On the day of Jesus'
conception, the Holy Spirit filled her. But later - on Pentecost, the
feast we celebrate today - she was in the midst of the disciples.
Mary is the model Christian - and of course the model mother. It is
more difficult to be a mother today that in past times. So much is
expected of our moms. They are torn in a hundred directions. To be a
Christian mom, one needs that double gift of the Holy Spirit. That's
what we are praying for this Sunday. For our moms and our dads and for
all us - to open our hearts to the transforming power of the Holy
Spirit, that enables us to love God and neighbor.
**********
*I found this quote in Ancient Christian Devotional, edited by Thomas
Oden and Cindy Crosby.
**Have you ever noticed how many of our stories are about a dramatic
change of status? A serving girl gets the prince's attention. An
obscure person suddenly become the American Idol. Those stories speak
to something deep in us. They thrill us, not with the idea of joining
the royal family or of mixing with Hollywood stars, but because of a
much higher destiny.
Spanish Version
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http://www.agreeley.com/homilies.html
Pentecost
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Background:
This resurrection story became the occasion for St. John to add a
mystical reflection on the unity between God as mediated by Jesus and
the Church. Unless we are united in Jesus there will be no Easter peace
among us. When we cut ourselves off from the spirituality of the
community by trying to disengage from Jesus, we become dry, arid, and
useless. When our arguments within the community, inevitable in every
intimate life, breach the peace and unity which Jesus revealed by his
resurrection then we all wither and dry up. Keep in touch...
Locally, and Globally!
Story:
Once upon a time a parish decided it was time and long past time
to remodel their church. Virtually everyone thought it was a good idea,
with the exception of those who opposed everything anyway. The pastor
appointed the liturgical committee to investigate what kind of changes
they should make. The committee talked to many experts and came back
enthusiastically with a plan. The statues must go, the vigil candles
must go, the stations of the cross should be reduced to roman numerals
on the all, the body on the crucifix must go, the altar rail must go.
Nothing they said should distract from the pulpit, the baptismal font
(at the door of the church), and the altar. The church would have to
become clean and simple. Many people in the parish were furious. They
did not want to see their splendid old church turned into a Protestant
chapel. The liturgy committee felt personally assaulted. The old church
was not liturgically correct, you can’t do post Council liturgy in a
pre council church, only a liturgically correct church would do. The
parish split wide open. Families who had been close friends for years
stopped speaking to one another. Kids fought in the school playground,
teen age romances broke up. The pastor took a discrete poll and found
that if he put the issue to a vote, the community would split
fifty/fifty. No one was listening, no one would think about compromise.
So wise man that he was the pastor said that they would postpone the
decision till next year. Who knows he said to another priest, maybe the
last judgment will come before next year.
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http://benedictine.stvincent.edu/archabbey/Weeklywords/Weeklywords.html
Pentecost
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May, 11, 2008
John 20: 19-23
Demetrius R. Dumm, O.S.B.
Pentecost Sunday
Gospel Summary
On Pentecost Sunday we celebrate the wonderful good news that the risen
Lord has poured out his Spirit upon us, first of all to convince us of
his victory over sin and death, and then to enable us to continue his
work of salvation by our own love and concern for others.
As we can well imagine, the disciples were filled with fear and
foreboding after the death of their master. But suddenly, Jesus is
there among them, radiant with life. He shows them his terrible wounds,
which have now become beautiful emblems of his love for them. He offers
them his peace--that deep, calm, resonant sense of well-being, which is
so different from their own fear and uncertainty. This peace becomes
possible through the presence of his Spirit in them.
And then Jesus tells them (and us) what possessing the Spirit will mean
in our lives. Henceforth, we will need to be converted from our natural
tendency to be self-centered, cautious and defensive to an attitude of
generous and loving concern for others. This new way of living will be
manifested first and foremost by our willingness to forgive others.
This would be impossible if we did not enjoy the powerful presence of
the Spirit who enables us to overcome our constant judgmental
tendencies.
Life Implications
As fragile human beings, we know the experience of living in fear and
of being anxious and worried about many things, some of which exist
only in our imagination. Jesus, having absorbed the ultimate violence,
offers us his peace and thereby enables us to be confident and joyful
in the face of uncertainty and threat. This represents a real
experience of liberation from the paralysis of fear--a paralysis that
often prevents us from doing beautiful and risky things, like giving
cut flowers!
With this peace and joy comes the obligation to share our blessings
with others. It was once thought that the command of Jesus to forgive
or retain sins was addressed only to priests and referred only to the
Sacrament of Reconciliation. But, in fact, this charge, in a less
formal fashion, is undoubtedly addressed to all the followers of Jesus.
We must all accept the wonderful and awesome responsibility of offering
or withholding forgiveness. In this case, the sin of omission looms
large and should make us all examine our consciences in regard to the
many times that we may have persisted in nursing old injuries or have
refused to make allowance for extenuating circumstances in the lives of
those we call sinners.
In this regard, we should recall the very strong words of Jesus in the
Sermon on the Mount: "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the
judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give
will be the measure you get" (Matthew 7:1-2). We all know how much we
hope to have a merciful judge and now we also know how to assure that
happy outcome.
It is, of course, very difficult to live such an ideal forgiveness. And
that is why Jesus offers us the Holy Spirit who, if given half a
chance, will empower us to become the kind of gentle, caring and
compassionate persons that can make a real difference in a world that
desperately needs the witness of love and forgiveness. Let us all
rejoice in this wonderful gift of the Spirit.
Demetrius R. Dumm, OSB
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http://www.christusrex.org/www1/mcitl/lowhome.html Meeting Christ in the Liturgy
Pentecost
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The Solemnity of Pentecost
Acts 2, 1-11; Psalm 104; 1 Cor 12, 3-7; 12-13; St. John 20, 19-23
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Today we hear that the apostles, imprisoned and bound by fear, have
locked themselves into the upper room, and that "Jesus came and stood
before them...Then he breathed on them and said: 'Receive the Holy
Spirit. If you forgive men's sins, they are forgiven them; if you hold
them bound, they are held bound.' "
Today, in the Solemnity of Pentecost, we celebrate the Divine gift of
the third person of the Blessed Trinity, the Holy Spirit. What does
this gift mean to the Church? The peace of Christ, always ours with the
forgiveness of our sins. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)
teaches us what the Church has always believed when we say in the
Creed: "I believe in the forgiveness of sins," our gift for salvation
in the Holy Spirit. The Creed links "the forgiveness of sins" with its
profession of faith in the Holy Spirit, for the risen Christ entrusted
to the apostles the power to forgive sins when he gave them the Holy
Spirit.
Baptism is the first and chief sacrament of the forgiveness of sins: it
unites us to Christ, who died and rose, and gives us the Holy Spirit.
By Christ's will, the Church possesses the power to forgive the sins of
the baptized and exercises it through bishops and priests normally in
the sacrament of Penance. In the forgiveness of sins, both priests and
sacraments are instruments which our Lord Jesus Christ, the only author
and liberal giver of salvation, wills to use in order to efface our
sins and give us the grace of justification. (CCC 984-987)
If you would be preserved "from all anxiety", as we pray in the Mass,
regularly practice the Sacrament of Confession. The Holy Spirit will
give you the peace of confidence in Christ's saving passion and
Resurrection.
Looking forward to meeting you here again next week, as, together, we
"meet Christ in the liturgy" -Father Cusick
(Publish with permission.) www.christusrex.org/www1/mcitl/
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http://www.ctk-thornbury.org.uk/
Pentecost
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Contact Father at cbonar@cfl.rr.com;
information about his book of homilies is available at www.clydebonar.com.
Pentecost |
Pentecost Sunday, Cycle A
Readings: Acts 2: 1-11; 1 Corinthians 12: 3-7, 12-13; John 20: 19-23
Use Your Talents, Find Peace
Introduction
Today we celebrate Pentecost. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Pentecost is the fiftieth day after the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus
Christ. The disciples gather in the upper room, the same room where
they ate the Last Supper with Jesus. But, now, they are frightened.
Certainly, Christ had appeared to some of them after his Resurrection,
but they’re running scared. What the Jews did to Jesus, they might just
do to his followers. Then, through the locked doors, "Jesus came and
stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’"
We frequently use the word "peace" in our Catholic prayer. Mass begins
with the priest wishing everyone "the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ."
At Confirmation, the bishop signs us on the forehead, and then the
bishop says "Peace be with you." During Mass, we have the sign of
peace.
Dwelling In God
What is the peace we talk about, the peace we pray for, the peace we
wish for each other? Peace to the Christian means dwelling in God. We
call Christ the Prince of Peace because Jesus dwells in God. God the
Son and God the Father united as one. And God gives us His peace.
Invites us into full participation in the divine life.
Recall what the Bible says. In Genesis (1:27; 2:7) we read: "God
created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them."
God made us like himself, male and female He created us in His image.
Then God breathed a breath of life into their nostrils. Breathed life
into Adam and Eve. God made us to be like God himself. We have the
breath of God within us.
The Prophet Jeremiah (31:33) tells us God wrote the law of his love in
our hearts. God is love, and God puts his love into our hearts. By the
outpouring of the Holy Spirit, God empowers our hearts, enlivens us to
grow in God’s love. In love, we reach out to love others as we love
ourselves (Matthew 19:19).
Paul describes believers in Christ as adopted sons and daughter of God
(Romans 8:14-15).
God gives us peace. God made us in his image, God wrote his law in our
hearts, and God adopted us as his own sons and daughters. In every way
it can, the Bible tells us we are at one with God, just as Jesus, God
the Son, is at one with God the Father.
To be at one with God is to be at peace. People saw this peace in
Christ, some kind of deep inner peace radiated out from Jesus. The
peace Christ wants us to have.
A Unique Person
But we have to do our part. To be at peace we must be the unique person
God made each of us to be. God gives each person different gifts. Each
of us, a different set of talents and different interests. Different
gifts for different folks. To be at peace, we must use our talents,
follow our own unique interests. Because, we know from experience, what
one person likes to do, another does not like; what interests one
person, another person finds quite boring.
We start to recognize and to live our differences as children. Sally
does well in math, quickly understands each new concept in calculus
class; Susan would rather skip math class, but loves poetry. Bill likes
sports, is on the baseball team, runs track, and wins most swimming
meets. His brother Ted gets A's in physical education, but would never
try out for a team — just not interested. Each of us happiest when we
follow our own interests. Different interests, different gifts for
different folks.
Our differences show up in the vocations we choose for a life's work.
The park ranger loves the outdoors, hiking and camping, a night under
the stars, paddling the white water rapids of a rushing stream in the
mountains. The computer programmer might think a weekend of camping
fun, but for a full time job, never! He'd rather be hacking with his
computer.
Even the vacations we chose show our uniqueness. Ocean cruises for
some, a golf resort for others, with tennis courts and a swimming pool;
other people like a trip to some exotic corner of the world; others
would visit New York for a week of the theater, a Broadway play each
day, two when they can catch a matinee.
Different talents. Different interests. God gives each of us gifts.
Different gifts for different folks. We are happiest, we are at peace,
when we follow our own unique set of talents and interests.
Every Talent and Interest Found In the Church
Same principle applies here at church. Different talents and interests
are needed to form the Body of Christ. Paul wrote to the Corinthians,
"the body is one and has many members." The "same Spirit" gives a
variety of gifts, a variety of services, and a variety of activities.
From the diversity comes unity, each part necessary for the whole to be
one.
Each of our different talents, each of our different interests, are
needed for us as a parish. I invite each of you to ponder how you might
use your talents and interests to help our parish better serve Christ
and each other and all the people of God.
Perhaps you are a good reader. We need lectors, to proclaim to us the
word of God by reading at Mass. Perhaps you can sing, not a virtuoso or
solo voice, but just an average voice that our music director can
combine with some other average voices into a beautiful sounding choir.
Perhaps you enjoy meeting people, and would enjoy being a hospitality
minister.
Perhaps you have known suffering in your life and feel a natural
compassion for those suffering — consider being a minister to the sick,
visiting the shut-in, bringing Communion and news and comfort to sick
and confined members of our parish. Perhaps you have a compassionate,
listening heart, and could help others who are grieving.
Perhaps you enjoy yard work — help us with our landscaping, keeping our
tree filled campus neatly landscaped takes many hours of work.
Perhaps you enjoy teaching or working with children — we have a place
for you in our religious education classes or working with our youth
group.
Perhaps you have an hour to pray here in church — you might sign up for
Eucharistic adoration.
I just cannot talk about all the talents and interests needed to keep
our parish going — there's too many. Ponder your interests and talents,
talk to those doing the various ministries, then volunteer to serve our
parish and each other.
The body is one and has many parts. We are one parish with each
faith-filled Christian having different talents and different
interests. It takes all of us doing our part to make this the wonderful
parish it is.
Conclusion
On Pentecost the Holy Spirit gave the apostles a good shove, the
strength to continue the work of Christ on earth. The Holy Spirit of
God lives within our souls to give us the vitality, the power, the
courage to continue the mission of Jesus to bring all people to the
Father.
If we walk in the Spirit, if we use our talents and follow our
interests, we will be kind and good, grow gentle and prove ourselves
faithful, and experience incomparable peace, a peace the world cannot
give. A peace which invites others to follow Christ.
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These
homilies may be copied and adapted for your own use;
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