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Sunday Homily Notes: Pentecost
Saturday, June 7, 2014 2:52
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Have you ever got caught out in a rain storm? On Saturday morning I was on my way to get the morning papers when the darkness overhead indicated a heavy storm was imminent, and the rain came down saturating me! When I got back to the presbytery, I was drenched! Water was dripping off me, an experience that enforced a change of clothes. It got me thinking about the feast of Pentecost that we are celebrating this weekend, the very beginnings of the Church is celebrated, with the outpouring of the spirit.
When I was drenched by the rain I had to change clothes; when the spirit drenched the disciples as it was poured over them in tongues of fire, they changed too. Not their clothes, but their hearts and minds were changed in an instant. The Holy Spirit became the driving force within them, banishing fear and filling them with courage and enthusiasm for the gospel. From that moment onwards they boldly proclaimed the gospel. The Holy Spirit confirmed in them the message of Jesus. And the good news was spread far and wide and is still proclaimed today.
We are given the gift of the Spirit in our life of faith, it is a fire that is raging within us, or least it was, or at least it should be! Fire needs tending to keep it burning, vigilance is required, or the fire dies away. Vigilance is the cornerstone of faith and if it is part of our attitude then will enable us to keep faith alive.
At a baptism the prayer says when the parents receive a candle: Parents, this light is entrusted to you to be kept burning brightly. This child of yours has been enlightened by Christ, may they keep the flame of faith alive in their hearts, until the Lord comes again. Baptism begins a life’s journey towards God. At times the flame of faith is what spurs us onwards. If we are vigilant, and care about faith, we will tend to it and not let faith die in us.
Drenched in the Holy Spirit on this feast of Pentecost, may we change our laziness to vigilance, our mourning for joy, our spark of the flame of faith, to a raging fire of love!
Source: http://humblepiety.blogspot.com/2014/06/sunday-homily-notes-pentecost.html
