May 24th, 2015 Pentecost Sunday homily-Fr.Francis
Chirackal CMI
Act 2:1-11; Gal 5:16-25; Jn 15:26-27, 16:12-15
For Readings
A few weeks ago we
saw on TV and in other medias, and read of 51 courageous Christians
who became martyrs for Christ in two batches under the persecution of ISIS
terrorists in Libya. They had to surrender their lives only because of their
faith in Christ. The second batch of 30 believers and their family members
expressed their faith in Christ, in a heroic way, just a few weeks after their 21 fellow believers surrendered their
lives for Jesus. Their family members became living witnesses to Christ’s
forgiving love. Why, even after 2000 years, do people come forward to submit
their lives for Christ, even at the risk of their lives? Why do millions of
people even today come forward to follow Christ? We see answers to these
questions in today’s readings and in the episodes of martyrs of this times. Even
today millions of people are living their Christian faith at the risk of their
lives and livelihood.
Today we celebrate
the feast of ‘Pentecost’, the inauguration of the Church. It was the day in which
the feared ones became the bravest ones, the weakest ones became the strongest
ones, the voiceless ones became the powerful ones, the frustrated ones became
the most hopeful ones, the hiding ones became the public figures. What was the
secret of this change? No medicine, no counseling, no image building classes,
no kick of the liquor or drugs. Then what? You know the answer. It was the
power from heaven, the arrival of the powerful Holy Spirit. Once the Apostles received
the Holy Spirit, they started preaching the person of Christ courageously
responding to the command of Jesus who said, ‘Peace be with you, as the Father
has sent me, so I send you.” Those who saw that change became astonished.
Listening to Peter’s preaching on that first day itself, over 3000 people
believed in Christ. Christ was with them. It was the birth of the Universal
Church.
The Church became
universal on its first day itself, as the Holy Spirit enabled the people to
hear the Word of God in their own language, while Peter was preaching in one
language. Christ brought peace and salvation to each and everyone. God wants us
to experience His peace in our day-to-day lives in this world. God wants us ‘to
be Sent’ in our day to day situations. So He gives us the gifts of the Spirit. “Wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength, knowledge, fear
of the Lord and piety” are the seven gifts, while, ‘love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control’ are the fruits
of the Holy Spirit. Gifts to be used to bear fruit. As St. Paul says, “These
gifts are not given to an individual for his honor or glory but to help to
build up the Church”. To build up the Church, is to help others know Christ and
experience peace. True peace can be found only in God and God gives us that
peace out of His love for us. We need to spread this Peace of Christ, from
person to person, experiencing God in our lives. The Holy Spirit was sent to us
to make this a reality. All who are confirmed are equipped with the gifts of
the Holy Spirit, to live a virtuous and holy life, and are sent forth to bear
much fruit, something that is possible only when one stays firmly attached to
Jesus.
The descent of the
Holy Spirit, is the manifestation of the infinite love of God for us, his
Chosen People of the new Covenant. Through the incarnation, the human race is
empowered to become adopted children of God. Through Baptism, we become members
of Christ’s body, his Church. Through the reception of the Holy Spirit in the
sacrament of Confirmation, we are made active members of the Church, with all
the strength and powers necessary to be effective members, on active service
daily, and true soldiers of Christ.
Easter, is the
feast of Christ’s triumph over death and the guarantee of our triumph and union
with Christ in His eternal glory. Pentecost, crowns Christ’s work amongst us.
The Holy Spirit comes to abide with the Church and the same Spirit helps and
aids each member of the Church to live a life of holiness, based on the Word of
God. As we celebrate this great feast, let us receive and become filled with
the Holy Spirit and produce the fruits of the Spirit with the gifts that Spirit
gives us. Let us make our lives always rejoicing in the Spirit and sing to the
Lord every day, Alleluia and help others to sing, Alleluia, to the Lord.
Alleluia!!
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