HOMILY

PENTECOST

MAY 11, 2008

THEME: THE SPIRIT OF JESUS IS WITHIN US

Have you ever wondered why Jesus’ work didn’t end with his death? Imagine for a moment his message and mission dying with him. There would be no Christians, no Christianity, no Catholicism. We would have no Archangel Gabriel parish.

1. JESUS’ WORK CONTINUES THROUGH HIS DISCIPLES AND THE HOLY SPIRIT

His work and mission continued for two reasons: First, because one of Jesus’ main goals during his 2 ½ or 3 years of ministry was to prepare followers to continue his work and mission after he died. And secondly, because he gave them his Spirit, the Holy Spirit, to dwell within them and give them the power and courage and determination to continue his mission and work. We’re here today because the followers and disciples of Jesus who preceded us would not let his mission die. We are the beneficiaries of those who came before us….family members, priests and religious, teachers and witnesses, whose commitment to Christ and his Gospel nourished us. We have all been ministered to by countless people. May I ask all our grandparents to stand? You represent all who have gone before us and passed on the faith to us. We celebrate and thank you today.

2. OUR MOTHERS’ LOVE IS WITNESS TO JESUS’ SPIRIT

One of the main persons in the lives of all of us has been our mother. It is appropriate that we celebrate mother’s day this year on the Feast of the Holy Spirit. Christian Mothers are unique bearers of the Spirit of Jesus. Mothers teach primarily by the depth of their love. No matter what happens, we all have known that we could count on the love of our mothers. Mothers teach their children by their every act, their daily sacrifices for their children, their unrelenting vigilance for what is best for their children. No one prays for others more consistently and powerfully than mothers pray for their children. We honor our mothers today, living or deceased, for showing us the true spirit of Jesus in their unconditional love and devotion. May I ask all our mothers to stand as we celebrate you today?

3. THE SPIRIT OF JESUS WORKS THROUGH OUR 37 PARISH MINISTRIES

We also celebrate today Ministry Commitment Sunday. The Spirit of Jesus is working through our 37 parish ministries to carry out the mission of Jesus. Jesus is asking you today to let his Holy Spirit work through you in one or more of these ministries. These ministries make up the life and mission of our parish. They bind us closer together in the Body of Christ, nourish our lives, touch the lives of others with healing and courage and help build his kingdom of justice, love and peace in our society and world. Every one of our ministries moves the work and mission of Jesus forward. We want all of you to be part of that and urge you to choose one of these ministries as your way of contributing to the building of Jesus’ kingdom among us.

4. WE HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED INTO THIS MISSION

We will be baptizing 6 of our young children today. They will receive the gift of Jesus’ Spirit just as the rest of us did on the day of our Baptism. They will be called upon to continue the work and mission of Jesus after most of us old people here are long gone. In celebrating the Feast of the Holy Spirit today, let us be inspired by the way Jesus’ Spirit has worked through all the past disciples of Jesus who have brought us all to the faith that fills and nourishes our lives today. Let us also be inspired by the love and care of our mothers, whom we honor today. And let us commit ourselves to one or more of these parish ministries so we can carry out the mission of Jesus and pass on his Gospel and way of life to all who will follow us.