*  Pentecost (B), May 31, 2009
* Theme: Recognize God’s Spirit in Each of Us for the Good of All

* 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 the grain harvest and the LAW were replaced by the gift of the Spirit and the creation of the New People of God.

* 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), puts it at Pentecost – 50 days after Easter.
* 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 that “Jesus is Lord,” heroically “to the ends of the earth”

* The Readings today tell us a lot about who we are a Christians
* In Acts 2, People were named from all over the known world -
* 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 (Genesis 11)
* In 1 Corinthians, Paul emphasizes unity in Jesus.
* He says that by reason of our one Baptism we are all parts of One Body with Jesus as our Head
* He adds that the Spirit has each given us spiritual gifts for the service of others
* In John’s Gospel
* 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 diversity beautifully.)
* 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 spread the Good News.

* However, sometimes fear can have power over us and keep us from the letting the Spirit into our lives.
* We are afraid that God might ask us to change our ways of acting and living.
* Sometimes we are afraid to let go of what we know for what is untried and unknown.
* The disciples were “gathered in fear” behind locked doors.
* They were afraid that what had happened to Jesus would happen to them.
* Yet Jesus met them where they were, empowered them, and sent them on mission.
* Today, some have the same type of experience;
* They meet Jesus in the very lowest places in their lives,
* Fearful places,
* When they have reached rock bottom,
* Feel helpless and a without a future.
* And their lives are changed forever
* (Cf. Jude Siciliano, O.P.)

* “The Bucket List”
*  2007 comedy-drama starring Jack Nicholson & Morgan Freeman
* The story follows two terminally ill men on a road trip with a wish list of things to do before they “kick the bucket.”

* Jack Nicholson – Edward Cole – White Millionaire
* Morgan Freeman – Carter Chambers – Black Everyman

* At the funeral of Carter Chambers:
* Edward Cole: Good afternoon. My name is Edward Cole. I don’t know what most people say at these occasions because in all honesty, I’ve tried to avoid them. The simplest thing is I loved him and I miss him. Carter and I saw the world together, which is amazing when you think that only three months ago we were complete strangers. I hope that it doesn’t sound selfish of me, but the last months of his life were the best months of mine. He saved my life, and he knew it before I did. I’m deeply proud that this man found it worth his while to know me. In the end, I think it’s safe to say that we brought some joy to one another’s lives, so one day, when I go to some final resting place, if I happen to wake up next to a certain wall with a gate, I hope that Carter’s there to vouch for me and show me the ropes on the other side.
*
* Carter Chambers: [close to death wrote his letter to Edward]

* Dear Edward, I’ve gone back and forth the last few days trying to decide whether or not I should even write this. In the end, I realized I would regret it if I didn’t, so here it goes. I know the last time we saw each other, we weren’t exactly hitting the sweetest notes-certain wasn’t the way I wanted the trip to end. I suppose I’m responsible and for that, I’m sorry. But in all honestly, if I had the chance, I’d do it again. Virginia [Carter's wife] said I left a stranger and came back a husband; I owe that to you. There’s no way I can repay you for all you’ve done for me, so rather than try, I’m just going to ask you to do something else for me-find the joy in your life. You once said you’re not everyone. Well, that’s true-you’re certainly not everyone, but everyone is everyone. My pastor always says our lives are streams flowing into the same river towards whatever heaven lies in the mist beyond the falls. Find the joy in your life, Edward. My dear friend, close your eyes and let the waters take you home.

* The Spirit of God was working in Carter and Edward, and each was finally smart enough to respond.
* Let us pray on this Pentecost, that we can see and hear the Spirit of God working in our lives.
* That we let ourselves be challenged by God’s Spirit to go where we never thought we could go and to walk with whom we never thought we could walk.
* Most of all let us live our lives in gratitude for God’s love and for the gift of the Spirit who will never abandon us.

* Amen

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