Sunday the 8th of June 2025 - Pentecost

Acts 2:1-11/ Ps 104(103)/ 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13/ John 20:19-23

In our times we can become overwhelmed by the babble coming to us from all directions. The things that the world throws at us can stun us into a state of paralysis preventing us from fulfilling our duty to spread the gospel message of the risen Lord. We can feel that every time we put our heads above the parapet we get shot at, ridiculed, shouted down. We are encouraged to seek the treasures of the world which can cause us to fail to see the treasure of heaven that we already possess. It was a state of paralysis that had gripped the apostles as they gathered after the traumatising events of the crucifixion of Jesus. They were bewildered by the appearances of Jesus among them after his resurrection not understanding his command to prepare for the coming of the Holy Spirit. We can also feel like this, wearied by what life throws at us, we need the power of the Holy Spirit every day to help us to stand against the world and continue our mission, to turn the babble into cohesive language understood by all.

Today we celebrate the birth of the Church. The power of the Holy Spirit sent, as promised by Jesus, to the apostles who were fearfully hiding away. Filled with this power the apostles began spreading the message of healing, love, and joy that Jesus embodied. The rather strange collection of people who heard the message in their own languages signifies that the message of salvation bursts out from the chosen people onto the whole world. It is not a secret exclusive message but a call to the whole of humanity to avail itself of the redemption offered by Jesus and won by him at great cost. The mission of the apostles is the same mission that we have today, to keep spreading that message throughout the world so that all may be baptised in the one spirit.

Jesus left us the Holy Spirit to guide us and the Church as a body until he comes again at the end of time. The Holy Spirit makes us his living temples, a God dwelling within us, guiding and strengthening us in our struggle against the temptations of this world, leading us in our mission to bear witness to the risen Christ in our daily lives. The most effective way that this is done is through the sacraments.

In Baptism the Holy Spirit makes us children of God, brothers and sisters of Jesus, and heirs to the Kingdom of Heaven. In Confirmation he makes us temples of God making us defenders of the gift of faith. In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the Holy Spirit enables us to be reunited with God after our sins have driven a division between us. In Holy Communion, the Eucharist, the priest calls down the Holy Spirit to change the bread and wine into the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Christ as nourishment for our spiritual lives on earth. In Holy Orders and Matrimony, the Holy Spirit creates a community of worshipers holy and Christ centred to carry on the great mission of evangelisation.

The Church is taught and guided by the Holy Spirit speaking through the Pope, the Magisterium, its ministers, and people. We are reminded of the teachings of Jesus which are passed on and clarified for us to suit the context we are facing. The Holy Spirit listens to us, knows exactly what we need, inspiring and enabling us to pray effectively. We receive the gifts of the Spirit enriching our lives and those around us, including the Church as a whole. Being aware of the constant presence of the Holy Spirit dwelling within in us we are encouraged daily to resist the temptations set before us by the world, the temptations, addictions, and habits encouraged by the devil and empowered by original sin. The way to overcome these constant daily challenges is to be engaged continuously in dialogue with the Holy Spirit who could not be closer because he lives within us. We need to trust in him to take control of and guide our lives in all things.

As Christians we are sent out full of the Holy Spirit. The apostles were very human people with all the human weaknesses that we have but at Pentecost they became filled with the Spirit and were able to put their weaknesses aside and trusting in that Spirit they were sent into the world to proclaim the gospel message of the risen Lord. This is our mission also, given to us through baptism, acknowledging our own weaknesses but asking for and accepting the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit daily. As Spirit filled people, we will be people of prayer, asking for God’s help each morning and his forgiveness each evening. In this way our faith will grow ever stronger as we allow the Holy Spirit to guide and change our lives as he speaks to us in our hearts through scripture, prayer, and the frequent reception of the sacraments of Holy Communion and Reconciliation. We will be a people who, in this world of hate, obstruction, greed, anger, and heartlessness, will bring the love of God, through kindness, mercy, charity, generosity, and gentleness to all around us.

Submitting to the power of the Holy Spirit is the way to receive the peace that Jesus offered his apostles and offers us. We pray today and always that the Holy Spirit continues to be sent forth to renew us and the face of the earth.

God Bless Brendan