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May 22, 2021Reflection for Pentecost Sunday: May 23, 2021
(Acts 2:1-11): First, they heard… a strong, driving wind. Then, they saw… tongues of fire coming to rest on each one of them. Next, they were filled with the Holy Spirit… such that they spoke in tongues…. As the Spirit enabled them… to proclaim! They heard… they saw… they were filled… they spoke and proclaimed the faith… as the Spirit enabled them. The same invitation and message comes to us this Pentecost. We are called to open ourselves to receive the grace of God. Opening ourselves means we must listen in order to hear of God’s love and mercy for us. We must open our eyes to see God’s Presence in others and in the world around us. We must also look for opportunities to serve. Receiving grace and letting God into our hearts is never forced on us. We have free will. We must be docile and allow ourselves to be filled! We must allow ourselves to be led and we must follow and obey in order to let ourselves be enabled to share the faith and proclaim it via ministry to others. Pentecost is still going on. We must do our part to keep the Spirit moving and the Church growing!
(Psalm 104: “Lord, send out Your Spirit and renew the face of the Earth!”): As called for in the first reading, this psalm praises God, acknowledges total dependence upon the Holy Spirit of God for life itself and for health and for all the blessings we enjoy. The psalm ends with a triumphant note of praising God forever and rejoicing in God’s universal goodness. The psalmist, like us, hopes to be found pleasing to God.
(Galatians 5:16-25): In this wise reading St. Paul cautions us about how the desires of the flesh compete with the desires of the Holy Spirit. Usefully, Paul lists the works of the flesh and the fruits of the Holy Spirit so we can compare them as to benefits to self and/or others. Notice that the works of the flesh are not labeled as fruits like those of the Spirit are. The works of the flesh are: immorality, impurity, lust, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbreaks of fury, selfishness, dissentions, factions, envy, drinking bouts, orgies and the like. These, we are told, lead us to Hell. Compare these to the fruits of the Spirit, which lead us to Heaven: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Just looking at and contemplating on the list of fruits brings a measure of calmness and serenity, while looking at the other list ignites anxiety, worry, guilt and fear. Our flesh may be attracted at times to the works, but our immortal souls can only be satisfied and nurtured by the fruits!
(John 15:26-27;16:12-15): In this passage, Jesus prepares the disciples for the coming of the Holy Spirit, Whom Jesus tells them, will act as an Advocate to the Truth; God Himself. Jesus tells us that the Spirit will listen to what God has to say and speak or proclaim God’s Word and message to His people. Jesus tells us that the Spirit will guide us to all truth and glorify God by declaring His love and mercy. That’s what we’re called to do when we embrace the faith and receive the Sacraments. We are to glorify God and proclaim His love via our faith-sharing and ministering to others in whatever ministries to which we are called. We are called to be like the disciples in today’s first reading.
Come Holy Spirit!
In God’s Peace,
Deacon Matt
