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May 23, 2021

Pentecost

It is a joy to gather today with the girls and boys making their first Holy Communion on the feast of Pentecost. Pentecost, Fifty Days after Easter, commemorates the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples and Mary. Children -- when did you receive the gift of the Holy Spirit? Yes – at your baptism. Can we see the Holy Spirit? No. We cannot see the Holy Spirit directly, but we can feel and see its effects. Jesus prays to his heavenly Father to send the Holy Spirit of their love upon his disciples. Jesus calls the Holy Spirit “counsellor”; he uses the metaphor of “rivers of living water will flow within the person who believes in me”; and as Risen Lord Jesus imparts Holy Spirit, breathing upon his disciples, for the forgiveness of sins. At our baptisms we receive the Holy Spirit to deepen our friendship with Jesus, to help us be good disciples, and to activate virtues, abilities within -- gifts like courage, wisdom, understanding, awe-wonder, charity, kindness, patience, joy, peace, gentleness, self-control, and chastity-modesty.   

On this Pentecost Day, boys and girls, we are renewing the promises of faith made on your behalf at your baptism and soon you will receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion. At the Last Supper. Jesus takes bread, gives thanks, blesses, and breaks the bread, and says: “This is my body which will be given for you.” Jesus is true to his word! Jesus “gives his body” on the cross when he dies for us. When we come up to receive Holy Communion and hear the words: “Body of Christ” our response is “Amen.” “Amen” is an affirmation of our faith that Jesus is truly present in the consecrated host – his Body, the substance, the essence, of his divine life and sacrificial love.  

How wonderful to be infused with the Holy Spirit and to receive Jesus! Holy Communion, the Body of Christ, nourishes and sustains us. The Holy Spirit empowers us to leave the church and tell others of the precious gift of life that we have received. At the end of Mass, we are sent as missionaries to announce and to share our life in Christ. We are aglow with the presence of Jesus and the fire of God’s love. Our response can only be: “Amen! Thanks be to God.”

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