Pentecost Sunday
June 8, 2014 – Year A
Readings:  Acts 2:1-11, Psalm 104, 1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13, Jn 20:19-23
by Rev. Mr. Ray Roderique, Permanent Deacon

Today we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost. Most of us marvel at what happened to the disciples of Christ on that glorious day. We often think of this as a one-time event, but the truth is it is an on-going event. We need to observe Pentecost every day. “It will always be Pentecost in the church,” affirmed Oscar Romero, Archbishop of El Salvador, on Pentecost Sunday in 1978, “provided the church lets the beauty of the Holy Spirit shine forth from her countenance. When the church ceases to let her strength rest on the power from above which Christ promised her and which he gave her on that day, and instead leans on the weak forces of the power or wealth of the earth, then the church ceases to be newsworthy. The church will be fair to see, perennially young, attractive in every age, as long as she is faithful  to the Spirit that floods her and she reflects that Spirit through communities, through her pastors, through her very life. Archbishops Romero’s declaration reminds us, as does today’s Gospel, that Pentecost is not just one day, but every day. Without breath, there is no life. Without the Spirit, the church is a field of dry dead bones. Fulton J. Sheen once said about the church, “Even though we are God’s chosen people, we behave more like God’s frozen people, frozen in our prayer life, frozen in the way we relate to one another, frozen in the way we celebrate our faith.”

When we were confirmed, we may recall the Bishop laying hands upon us and saying the words “Receive the Holy Spirit.” We were told in our preparation classes that we would receive one of the seven gifts of the Spirit, namely “Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, Piety, Fortitude, Counsel, and Fear of the Lord.” And most likely many of us asked for one or more of these gifts at that time. However; these are not the only gifts of the Holy Spirit. If we read 1 Corinthians 12:9 it says: “Through the Spirit one receives Faith, by the same spirit another is given the gift of healing, and still another Miraculous powers. Prophecy is given to one, another the power to distinguish one spirit from another. One receives the gift of tongues, another the gift of interpreting the tongues. But it is one and the same spirit  who produces all these gifts, distributing them as he wills.” Then in Paul’s letter to the Romans verse 12:4-8 he speaks about the gifts in this way: “Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function, so too we, though many, are one body in Christ and individually members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the favor bestowed upon us. One’s gift may be prophecy, its use should be in proportion to their faith. It may be the gift of ministry, it should be used for service. One who is a teacher, should use their gift for teaching. One with the power of exhortation, should exhort. He who gives alms should do so generously, he who rules should exercise his authority with care; he who performs works of mercy should do so cheerfully.”

The point of all this is that many have received gifts of the Spirit, but have never put them to use. They lie dormant within. Why? Because we were never properly instructed in their existence or their use. It is only within the past 45 years since Pope John 23^rd invoked a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit that individuals began to experience and learn about the gifts. Each Pope since then has embraced this new awareness. Our present Pope Francis has urged us to use the gifts of the Spirit to Evangelize our church and the world. The gifts of the Spirit are intended as gifts of service and are to be used to build up the Body of Christ the church. There is no greater need today, as Christianity comes under constant attack. We are called to be witnesses to Christ. We must not be afraid to say his name, to share him with others, especially our family and friends. We need to not be afraid to place our hands on one another and pray for healings and other needs. We can learn how to be free in using the gifts of the Spirit, by becoming members of the Holy Spirit Prayer Ministry which meets every Tuesday evening at 7 PM right here in McNally Hall. Become more involved in your community and your church. Let us be a light in this time of darkness. Today is a great day to ask the Holy Spirit to rekindle in us the Spirit of New Life and enthusiasm, the fire of God’s love. “Come Holy Spirit, Come.”

The point of all this is that many have received gifts from the Holy Spirit but have never put them to use.  They lie dormant within us.  Why?  Because we were never properly instructed about these gifts or how to use them.  It is only within the past 45 years since Pope John 23^rd invoked a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit that individuals began to experience and learn more about the gifts.

Each Pope since then has embraced this new out-pouring, and in our present day, Pope Francis has urged us to use the gifts of the Spirit to Evangelize our church and the world. The gifts of the Spirit are intended to build up the Body of Christ; they are gifts of service.  There is no greater need in our day and age, as Christianity comes under greater and greater attack.  We are all called to be witnesses to Christ.  We must not be afraid to pronounce his name, or to share his story with others, especially with family and friends.  We need to learn to lay hands on one another as we pray for healings and other needs of our fellow Christians.

One way in which we can learn how to use these gifts is to use them in prayer group gatherings, where initially we are among close friends and can learn to be free about praying with others and with speaking out as the Spirit leads us.  Become more involved in your church and be an active part of the community.

For your information, we have a prayer group that meets every Tuesday evening at Holy Name of Mary, and you are welcome to attend.

We are all being called to be a light in this time of darkness.  What better time to start than on the anniversary of Pentecost.  May the Holy Spirit pour out His gifts upon you.