Word to the Wise
Sunday, June 8, 2014 - Pentecost Sunday: Mass during the Day - A
[Acts 2:1-11; 1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13; John 20:19-23]There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.
Pentecost is celebrated as the "birthday of the Church!" So, Happy Birthday to US! I think it is important to say it that way so that we don't fall into the common error of thinking of the Church primarily as an "institution" or an organization that one joins and pays dues to! The Church is formed of human persons who believe in Jesus Christ and who are motivated by the power of the Holy Spirit. The First Letter of Peter speaks of us as "living stones!" [1 Pet. 2:5]. St Paul speaks of us today as "one body" composed of many interrelated parts. So, the relationship is more than simply being one vote in a group.
The "working" of the Holy Spirit is often something we don't realize until after it has happened because that "working" and those gifts sometimes cause messy situations which require a lot of time and energy to work out! Who could have predicted the election of Pope Francis? Those of us who lived through the immediate aftermath of the Second Vatican Council can testify that we humans can be truly a challenge for the Holy Spirit! Any pastor who has to deal with the blessings and curses of daily parish life knows that there are times when only the Holy Spirit can bring positive outcomes out of difficult situations.
It would take a very large cake to handle all the candles for the birthday of the Church, but maybe we could all just imagine ourselves as those candles and the fire as the Holy Spirit! I dare anyone to blow them all out! Happy Birthday to us! AMEN