Readings: Acts 2:1-11; psalm 104; Galatians 5:16-25; John 15:26-27, 16:12-15.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Today is the day we have been preparing for through a series of prayers, novena and programs – it is the feast of Pentecost.
Today, we recall the day that the early disciples and followers of the Lord received, in a significant, powerful and decisive way, the Holy Spirit which Jesus promised them.
This day is also being celebrated as the birthday of the Church because on this day, the followers of Jesus, after receiving the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit, went out and preached the message of salvation to everyone – even those who spoke other languages. On that day, about three thousand were added to the number of believers.
Every year, when we celebrate Pentecost, we are not just celebrating an event that happened and was perfected in the past, rather, we open ourselves in faith to a new experience of the Holy Spirit, a refilling and a renewed encounter.
In his Address to Charismatic Covenant Communities
October 2008, the late Pope Benedict XVI said:
“What we learn in the New Testament on charisms, which appeared as visible signs of the coming of the Holy Spirit, is not a historical event of the past, but a reality ever alive.”
In the past, I have preached on different themes. This year, I want to preach on making the Holy Spirit more active in our lives and end by leading a prayer for an experience of the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is Jesus’ gift to all of us, to guide, teach, convict, renew, enlighten, pray in and for us, to illumine, comfort, strengthen and speak for us.
Through Baptism we receive the Holy Spirit and the sacrament of Confirmation perfects the baptismal graces by sealing us with the gifts, graces and power of the Holy Spirit. It reawakens the Spirit we receive at Baptism.
The question is – How active is the Holy Spirit in our lives?
How well do we know Him?
How involved is He in our daily affairs?
How much do we consult Him and seek His help?
Today, we are challenged to make the Holy Spirit that we have received active, to get Him involved in our daily lives, and to have a life-giving relationship with Him.
A. Know more about the Holy Spirit
The first step is knowing more about who the Holy Spirit is and what He does. Many of us are so ignorant of the person and working of the Holy Spirit. We are like the Ephesians who said to Paul, “We do not know anything about the Holy Spirit”(Acts 19:2).
Knowledge fosters relationships. How much do we know about the Holy Spirit? From today, let us seek to know more about Him through studying the Bible, listening to good/recommended talks and reading recommended books on the Holy Spirit. Very importantly, we may know Him more by praying and asking the Holy Spirit to reveal more of Himself to us.
B. By engaging Him and inviting Him to be part of our everyday affairs
Characteristically, the Holy Spirit won’t invade our affairs if He is not invited. Let us remember from today, that the Holy Spirit is our friend and He wants to help us and get involved in our lives if we allow Him. Hence, we must learn to talk to Him, seek His help, call on Him, surrender to Him and acknowledge His presence and power.
C. Obey Him
The Holy Spirit doesn’t bypass our will; we still need to be willing to obey Him and heed His message. When we keep suppressing Him, denying, objecting and disobeying what He tells us, then we are saying we do not need Him, thereby rejecting Him. He is not active where He is willfully rejected, incessantly disobeyed, grieved and unheeded.
Conclusion
Let us end by reflecting on and praying for the sanctifying gifts of the Holy Spirit, the fruit of the Holy Spirit and the charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The sanctifying gifts of the Holy Spirit as in Isaiah 11:1-3 are Wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord.
The fruit (attributes and qualities) of the Holy Spirit are (according to the Vulgate Bible) charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control and chastity.
Shall we pray today that we may receive or at least discover our charismatic gifts and use them for the growth of the church – charisms and gifts such as faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment of Spirit, helps/service, leadership and administration, teaching, understanding the Scriptures, knowledge, words of wisdom, encouragement, the gift of dreams and interpretation of dreams, the gift of knowledge (Cf 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, 28; Romans 12:6-8).
Spirit of the living God, renew your wonders in our life as though for a new Pentecost, Amen.
Sermon preached by Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Baraka-Gukena Okami on May 19, 2024