SUNDAY MAY 19, 2024
PENTECOST SUNDAY YEAR B
Acts 2:1-11
Galatians 5:16-25
John 15:26-27; 16:12-15
THE ROLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN OUR LIVES
As we celebrate today, the day of Pentecost, that is, the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples and apostles of Christ, and the birth of the Church, we are called to value the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
The first reading gives us the narrative on the coming of the Holy Spirit. It details the Spirit’s influence and power on the disciples and apostles of Christ. The evangelist Luke in describing the Holy Spirit identifies two distinct influence of the Spirit. First, the Spirit is like “a rush of a mighty wind.” This influence of a might wind, speaks of the Holy Spirit as that which is unseen, has no physical appearance but blows where it wills. Yet, it’s influence is huge and heavy. It’s impact is powerful and very impressive. It permeates all things, great in human soul, it enters everywhere locked or open and can influence even the soul of man.
The second description of the Holy Spirit is like a”tongues of fire” that rests on the disciples and apostles. This influence had a greater impact because it gave them the authority and power of eloquence and that which is beyond control and in mysterious languages. Same influence is even greater in their hearts because those languages when spoken was heard and understood even in the hearts of strangers.
Such utterances were perceived and great understanding bridge the gap between languages, tribes and peoples such that any division or separation was healed. Humanity became one, United and one single humanity was enabled.
In the letter to the Galatians our second reading, we are told the fruits that the Holy Spirit brings in the life of the people. And such fruits or effects are catalogues as follows: “But the fruits of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” To possess these gifts or fruits means to give away or replace them with the desires of the flesh. The value of these gifts is that it replaces those that originates from our human desires and the appetite of the flesh. Bearing these fruits makes the world a better place, for human beings seems to possess and illicit fruits inimical to their existence while the Holy Spirit heals, enables a life of love, communion and peace by the fruits it’s brings.
The gospel then expounds the value and the worth of the Holy Spirit in the life of Christians. Christ continues his life and his in the lives of his faithful people by the presence of the Holy Spirit. Meaning that the Holy Spirit is a necessary gift of God the Father and the Son. The Spirit comes to leads, to guide, to protect and to uphold the legacies and teachings of Christ. The Holy Spirit is the most immediate presence of Christ and the Father in our present life in the world. It is the power that controls us, that protects us, that guides and guards all Christians.
A Christian can only be identified by the power of the Holy Spirit. It’s values are manifold and greatly important. First the Holy Spirit is the power of Jesus Christ’ presence in our lives. The spirit bears witness and furthers the works of Christ. The Holy Spirit testifies on behalf of Christ.
And the Spirit does this by speaking the truth with great authority. Truth about our lives, our salvation, our successes, our failures and the ways to win salvation.
The Holy Spirit has the precise role of helping humanity in her weaknesses, giving us power to overcome, power to understand, greater insight, more knowledge and wisdom and strength in moral and physical weaknesses. The Holy Spirit comes as our strength from on high. So we pray through him, and call upon him.
Come, O Holy Spirit and fill the heart of your faithful and enkindle in us the fire of your Love. O Holy Spirit, Fall afresh on us, renew us, remould us, release your gifts upon us and unite us to you Jesus and to the Father. Amen
I give God all the thanks, glory, honour and adoration for the successful surgical procedure I underwent last Friday. Continue to pray for my quick recovery. May the name of the Lord be blessed both now and forever.
Fr Norbert Uchuno
