Word to the Wise
Sunday, May 15, 2016 - Pentecost Sunday - C
[Acts 2:1-11; opt: Rom 8:8-17; opt: John 14:15-16, 23b-26 ,250]If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also, through his Spirit that dwells in you." [Romans]
Pentecost is traditionally considered the "birthday" of the Church. The original conferral of the Holy Spirit is the subject of two different accounts in the Acts of the Apostles and in the Gospel of John. Both accounts are included in the scriptures for today. Memories can vary, especially when being put in writing decades after an event. What is clear is that Jesus' promise of that abiding Spirit was fulfilled soon after his resurrection and transformed his disciples. It continues to do that in the hearts of all believers. The quotation from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans testifies to the power of God's Spirit dwelling in us. St. Thomas Aquinas refers to the Holy Spirit as the "new law" of Christ working in us through faith in Christ.
St. Paul also speaks of the role of the Holy Spirit in the passage from First Corinthians where he says, "To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit." The presence of the Holy Spirit is meant to enable us to do the works of God. It is not some private possession. We receive it in baptism/confirmation and provided we persevere in faith, that Spirit continues to transform us and enable us to live the life of faith. This is true not just on the individual level but collectively in the Church despite the many ups and downs of Church history throughout the centuries. We can give thanks that God has managed to stay with us all that time through the Spirit dwelling in us even when we are not especially cooperative! As the old hymn puts it, "Come Holy Ghost, creator blest and in our hearts take up thy rest!" AMEN
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