HOMILY FOR PENTECOST SUNDAY YEAR A.

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Acts 2:1-11; Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-31. 34; 1 Corinthians 12:3-7. 12-13, John 20:19-23.

“THE HOLY SPIRIT: GIFT THAT LEADS TO FRUITS

By: Rev. Fr. Charles Onyeka Ezejide.

·      Today the church celebrates the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the church. The fulfillment of the promise of Jesus to send us the advocate who will teach us the complete truth (Jn. 6:13). The fulfillment of this very promise is an assurance that all the promises made to us by God will be fulfilled in our lives.

·      The outpouring of the Holy Spirit today is not the beginning of the church, but the universal inauguration of the church to preach even to the ends of the earth. To move from the local Church of Jerusalem to a more universal church where everyone is included both Jews and Gentiles alike.

·      Today the church receives the auction to function. To break loose from the grasp of fear and uncertainty that had held her captive in the upper room to boldly go into the world and announce the good news.

·      Today’s liturgy also marks the end of the Church’s Easter Season and the beginning of the Ordinary Season of the Church. It is not surprising that the Holy Spirit has been poured into our hearts to give us the courage to face the future and to make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:19).

·      Dear friends in Christ, a good number of us have made serious efforts to dispose of ourselves for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit through sacramental confessions, novena to the Holy Spirit, and other various prayer programs. These efforts show that we desire the fire of the Holy Spirit to burn in our hearts.

·      The pertinent question each of us must ask ourselves today is why do we desire the outpouring of the Holy Spirit? Have I prepared myself enough? How have we fared with the spark of the Holy Spirit that was ignited in our hearts at our Baptism and Confirmation? Have you allowed the spirit to go dormant or is the Holy Spirit still active in your life and urging you on in all your endeavour?

·      The solemnity of the Pentecost is not the outpouring of new spirit but a renewal and reinvigoration of the Spirit which we received at our baptism and confirmation. To what end is our reception of the Holy Spirit if we refuse to allow for the manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit which should in turn lead us to bear fruits, fruits that will last?

·      The first reading (Acts 2:1-11), shows that the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the church is represented by the twelve apostles. The Holy Spirit helps us to speak the one universal language of love. This shows us that the Holy Spirit is not a spirit of confusion but a spirit of unity, peace, love, etc. In the Pentecost experience is the correction of the error of Babel.

·      Dearly beloved in Christ, having received the gift of the spirit, we must now strive to manifest the power of the spirit wherever we find ourselves through bearing good fruits. The gift of the Holy Spirit is no gift at all until it is manifested positively in the life of all.

·      The second reading (1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13), on the other hand, cautions us not to let the gifts of the spirit divide us but rather we should be united and use the power of the Holy Spirit to efficiently promote the kingdom of God here on Earth. No wonder, there are many gifts in the church, these gifts must be brought together for everyone and the growth of the whole church.

·      The gospel reading (John 20:19-23), instructs us that having received the Holy Spirit, we must go into the world and let it affect the world positively. Let the transforming power of the Holy Spirit be felt in all we do and say especially by showing mercy to those who have offended us because the Holy Spirit is the primary agent of conversion and mercy.

·      My brothers and sisters, having received the promised gift of the Holy Spirit, our lives must not remain the same, we have been commissioned for the mission hence we must have the courage, commitment, strength, and faith conviction in the power of God to do all things. We must now go out and let the gifts we have received bear concrete fruits in our lives and the lives of others.

·      For as many who desire the Holy Spirit, for as many who desire the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit, for as many that feel that the Holy Spirit has evaded them, for as many who desire to be active in the Spirit, today is your chance for renewal, kindly pray like the Psalmist “Send forth your Spirit, O God, and renew the face of the Earth” (Ps. 104:30).

·      May the good Lord bless his word in our hearts through Christ our Lord, Amen!

·      Happy Sunday!!!

 

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