May 31, 2009: Feast of Pentecost

God wants the Church – all Christians – to work together for the good of our world just as our human body and all its parts work together for our good.

No one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit. Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service but the same Lord; and there are varieties of working, but it is the same God who inspires them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body. (1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13)

When we hear the word “Pentecost” we think of the Holy Spirit. The Easter season ends today as we celebrate Pentecost, the birthday of the Church. Why thebirthday of the church? Because the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles and disciples creating the Church and empowering Jesus’ followers to go out to the world and share the Good News by continuing the work He began. At our baptism we too were empowered to continue Jesus’ work. We share the Good News is with people we know, with whom we live, and withwhom we go to school. Many songs about the Holy Spirit pray that the Spirit will renew the earth. How will that happen if not through you and me?

Action:

Read Chapters 12 and 13 of 1Corinthians. As St. Paul reminds us, we have each been given special gifts to share. God wants the Church – all Christians – to work together for the good of our world just as our human body and all its parts work together for our good. Knowing Jesus and being filled with the Holy Spirit will help each of us make our world once again the place God intended it to be from creation.