May Jesus Christ be
praised and may his holy Mother pray for us.
In the season of Easter
the Lord has given us many gifts. We
were given joy at the empty tomb and mercy in the upper room. We were given a walk to Emmaus and talk from
the Good Shepherd. We were given the
promise of protection and the assurance of the Lord’s direction. Today, we bring the season of Easter to a
close, and we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
After the Ascension of
the Lord Jesus to the right hand of the Father, nine days passed. These were days of anticipation and days of
prayer. The disciples and the Mother of
God kept vigil in prayer. They awaited
the promise of the power from on High.
They awaited the Advocate who had been promised by the Lord Jesus. They awaited the gift of the Spirit who would
remind them of all of the things that the Lord Jesus said and did during his
earthly ministry. They awaited the gift
of the one who would cast out the idol of fear and install Christ as King in
the hearts of all believers. In prayer
and expectation they awaited the gift, and on the day of Pentecost the gift was
given.
The gift of the Holy
Spirit was given to the Church on the day of Pentecost. The tongues of fire that rested on the heads
of the apostles burned away their fear and their doubt. They could not hide their faith. They could not keep their silence. The Word of God that burned in their hearts
now poured forth from their lips in the language of every people. On the birthday of the Church, the entire
world was invited to the celebration.
This was the invitation to every race and people, to every language and
nation. The gift of the Holy Spirit sent
the apostles out into the world, so that all of the world could be gathered
into unity by the Holy Spirit. In many
languages they professed one faith. In
many languages they proclaimed one Savior.
The gift of the Holy Spirit empowered the apostles to announce the Good
News.
And the gift of the
Holy Spirit that was given to the apostles on the day of Pentecost is given to
you and to me. In the waters of Baptism,
the Holy Spirit took possession of our souls.
In the anointing of Confirmation, the Holy Spirit both gives and ignites
the fire of divine love and pours forth His seven gifts. It was not a tongue of fire, but the
imposition of the Bishop’s hands upon my head that entrusted to my care an
apostolic ministry. And yet, while I
participate in an apostolic ministry, we all participate in the apostolic
mission. We are all sent to the world
with the gift of the Holy Spirit to proclaim the Good News that Jesus Christ is
raised from the dead and that our loving Father desires to share his life with
us. The gift of the Spirit is given to
the great diversity of persons so that we may be drawn into unity with the
Lord.
The season of Easter
comes to its conclusion with the day of Pentecost and the gift of the Holy
Spirit. As we receive this gift and live
in the grace of this gift, may our lives be aflame with the fire of the Holy
Spirit. Amen.
Preached
at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Monroe, NC
