• PENTECOST (C), MAY 27, 2007
• THEME: MADE NEW IN GOD’S SPIRIT, WE WORK TOGETHER TO BUILD THE BODY OF CHRIST

• The term Pentecost carries a wealth of Scriptural images:
• In early Judaism, this was the feast of the final celebration of the gathering of the grain harvest which began at Passover
• Later Judaism transformed it into a feast of salvation history celebrating the giving of the LAW at Mount Sinai and the establishment of Israel as God’s People
• These two associations were carried over to the Christian celebration as both the grain harvest and the LAW are replaced by the gathering of the New People of God and by the gift of the Spirit.

• It is also interesting to note that there is no unanimity in the New Testament about a single outpouring of the Holy Spirit:
• The 20th chapter of the Gospel of John which we read, places the gift of the Spirit on Easter Sunday evening,
• The 2nd chapter of the Acts of the Apostles (today’s first reading), put it on Pentecost.
• Originally, perhaps, the gift of the Spirit was associated with each of the post Resurrection appearances of Jesus.
• At the heart of the issue is that the Spirit of God animated an otherwise insecure and frightened group of individuals,
• And sent them to preach “to the ends of the earth” that “Jesus Is Lord”

• The Sunday readings tell us a lot about who we are a Christians
• During this liturgical year we have been focusing on Luke’s gospel. Luke is also the author of the Acts of the Apostles.
• The Holy Spirit has a prominent role in both of Luke’s writings.
• In Luke’s Gospel
• The infancy narratives tell us that the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary, and the Word became flesh.
• The Spirit also filled Elizabeth and Zechariah, as well as Anna and Simeon with thanks and joy.
• The Holy Spirit is a living and active presence in Jesus’ ministry.
• Just as the Holy Spirit marked the beginning of Jesus’ ministry at his baptism in the Jordan River,
• Now Pentecost, with its baptism in the Holy Spirit, marks the beginning of the church’s ministry to the world.

• In Luke’s Acts of the Apostles, as we heard in our first reading:
• People from all over the known world at the time - Parthians, Medes, Elamites, etc. all heard the Apostles, all of whom were Galilean, speaking in their own tongues proclaiming the “Mighty Acts of God”
• Diverse people being brought together by God’s work in Jesus;
• A reversal of the dispersion and division that was created at the construction of the Tower of Babel

• In today’s second reading from 1 Corinthians, Paul emphasizes this point of unity in Jesus.
• He says that by of our one Baptism we are all parts of One Body with Jesus as our Head
• He adds that the Spirit has given each of us spiritual gifts for the service of others

• In today’s Gospel for John 20
• The Resurrected Jesus,
• Gives the Holy Spirit to his disciples and,
• Sends them on Mission to All People

• As Christians therefore:
• We are a diverse people (Blessed Sacrament portrays this in spades.)
• We are united by our one Baptism (Many Made One around the Table of the Lord).
• We have been given the Gift of the Holy Spirit and sent on Mission
• To proclaim the Mighty Acts of God
• To assure that no one is left out – no matter the race, language group, sexual orientation or legal status.

• We all have our gifts to share
• We each are valuable in God’s sight.
• Let us give thanks for the Spirit of God that challenges us and moves us forward
• Let us respond generously and enthusiastically in order to build up the Body of Christ at Blessed Sacrament and in our world.

• Amen

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