The phrase, “and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit,” that we heard in the Acts of the Apostles today, might well sum up today’s Feast. But there is more…
Pope Francis recently shared that Pentecost brought three things to the waiting community: newness, harmony and mission.
One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is unity – harmony. This does not mean we all think and say and do the same thing the same way, rather the unity, the harmony, that is of the Spirit brings the community together. A community that grows in being the “Body of Christ.”
The Church communities of yesterday and tomorrow, as well as today, need always to work for unity and harmony and peace.
Being a member of the Body of Christ, being a member of your Church, means we are all called to contribute to the well being of the Church – universal and local – and to the well being of the Body of Christ.
How can we do this?
In a flyer published by The National Pastoral Life Center some years back they mentioned many, but I will share only a few, of the spirit driven things we can all do:
- Welcome others, including the stranger, the visitor to the Parish, as you would to your own home.
- Pray to see the face of Jesus in each and every Parishioner and every person we meet outside of Mass.
- Sit beside the mother with small children at Mass, ready to offer assistance, if necessary.
- Consider seriously any invitation to serve as a teacher, God Parent, Sponsor or Mentor.
- Let absent Parishioners know that you miss seeing them. Inquire about their health and offer to update them on any Parish news or events they may have missed. (Notice it does not say: gossip)
- Support the Parish financially.
- Seriously, prayerfully consider being a Catechist, an At Mass Minister, a Member of a Parish Committee…
- Recognize and affirm the gifts of others, encouraging them to share in the Church’s Ministry to the community at large.
- Pray for Parishioners, including the sick and the deceased.
- Encourage activities, in addition to Mass, that build up the community of Faith and nurture friendships.
- Be more accepting and more forgiving.
- Expect and be open to change.
And so today we pray, “Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your Faithful and kindle in us the fire of your love.” In our lives as Person, Families and Parish, now and forever and ever. Amen!