PENTECOST: THE BIRTH OF THE CHURCH
May 20, 2018
Today we celebrate the great Feast of Pentecost in which we commemorate the decent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles. Pentecost, the Greek word for “Fiftieth” (50) actually has roots to our Jewish ancestors. Pentecost was celebrated 50 days after Passover when the harvest of the first-fruits were offered to the Lord. It also commemorated the receiving of the Law be Moses on Mount Sinai. Today, the Church, the New Israel celebrates Pentecost as a celebration of God’s Spirit that breathes life into the Church in continuing on the mission of Jesus Christ bringing compassion, peace, forgiveness, and with authority proclaiming the gospel and harvesting the fruits of it. Today is the birthday of the Church!
Today we also as a parish family celebrate the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Communion for 314 members of our Church. Today we will witness with these young men and women of OLPH Church the decent of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Today the seed of faith that we as a parish family, parents, grandparents, sponsors, family and friends planted will be harvested as they are confirmed and empowered by the Spirit to continue on the mission of Christ. Therefore we not only congratulate them but we pray fervently for them and their families that the fire of the Holy Spirit may be kept burning in their lives as fully initiated members of the Church. We also recall and remember the role of the Holy Spirit in all of our lives and the gifts, talents, and graces we can get if we are open to him.
The Following is a reflection on the Holy Spirit from St. Basil the Great:
The titles given to the Holy Spirit must surely stir the soul of anyone who hears them, and make him realize that they speak of nothing less than the supreme Being. Is he not called the Spirit of God, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, the steadfast Spirit, the guiding Spirit? But his principal and most personal title is the Holy Spirit.
To the Spirit all creatures turn in their need for sanctification; all living things seek him according to their ability. His breath empowers each to achieve its own natural end. The Spirit is the source of holiness, a spiritual light, and he offers his own light to every mind to help it in its search for truth. By nature the Spirit is beyond the reach of our mind, but we can know him by his goodness.
The power of the Spirit fills the whole universe, but he gives himself only to those who are worthy, acting in each according to the measure of his faith. Simple in himself, the Spirit is manifold in his mighty works. The whole of his being is present to each individual; the whole of his being is present everywhere. Though shared in by many, he remains unchanged; his self giving is no loss to himself. Like the sunshine, which permeates all the atmosphere, spreading over land and sea, and yet is enjoyed by each person as though it were for him alone, so the Spirit pours forth his grace in full measure, sufficient for all, and yet is present as though exclusively to everyone who can receive him. To all creatures that share in him he gives a delight limited only by their own nature, not by his ability to give.
The Spirit raises our hearts to heaven, guides the steps of the weak, and brings to perfection those who are making progress. He enlightens those who have been cleansed from every stain of sin and makes them spiritual by communion with himself.
As clear, transparent substances become very bright when sunlight falls on them and shine with a new radiance, so also souls in whom the Spirit shines become spiritual themselves and a source of grace for others.
From the Spirit comes foreknowledge of the future, understanding of the mysteries of faith, insight into the hidden meaning of Scripture, and other special gifts. Through the Spirit we become citizens of heaven, we enter into eternal happiness, and abide in God. Through the Spirit we acquire a likeness to God; indeed, we attain what is beyond our most sublime aspirations – we become God.
Fr. EJ Ikaika Resinto
