May 23: Feast of Pentecost

Reading I:Acts 2:1-11
Responsorial Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34
Reading II: 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13;
or Galatians 5:16-25
Gospel: John 20:19-23; or John 15:26-27; 16:12-15

When we were confirmed, we felt no strong driving wind. No tongues of fire appeared atop our heads. We did not suddenly speak of the mighty acts of God in such a way that everyone understood us. Nonetheless, the Spirit was sealed in us and does flow into us whenever we ask for it and whenever we need it, and whenever our world cries for it. The trouble is that we may not think we’re worthy or ready and can't be convinced of the Spirit’s power to make something good out of whatever is going on in our lives or in our world. Today, the whole Church is invited to pray with Acts 2:1-11 memorializing Pentecost, the birthday of the Church when the Holy Spirit amazed and astounded devout believers. 

The Holy Spirit still is amazing us but not quite as dramatically as the description of the Pentecost event in Jerusalem 2000 yrs ago. Today, the whole Church is also invited to pray Galatians 5:16-25.  As we pray to live by the Spirit and be guided by the Spirit we learn the fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22). In our world today those fruits are especially needed in each one of us. The decision to love in the face of hostility is a sign or fruit of the work of the Spirit. A deep profound joy in remembering a loved one who died young seems miraculous in the midst of grief over the loss. A peace settling one's heart as controversy and criticism reign down is astounding, to say the least. Pope Francis is described by many as peaceful in the face of misunderstandings and harsh judgments. One source of observations of his peaceful manner is Austen Ivereigh in his well-documented and well-reviewed biography of Pope Francis, Wounded Shepherd.  

In the face of challenges at work, school, and community, the spiritual fruits of kindness and gentleness may be in short supply. All the more do we, followers of Jesus, call on his Spirit for the courage to be kind and the energy to be gentle. And self-control is needed in relationships among world leaders, local groups, and wherever people gather. Our faithfulness is shown as we willingly listen to God’s word, God’s will, Jesus’ ways, and love as Jesus loves.   

Generosity to people in need is another fruit of the Spirit. Imagine a world where refugees would not drown while trying to escape from famine, drought, or violence.  May 19 Democrat and Chronicle reported 50 migrants drowned off Tunisia's southeast coast while Navy units, with a Spirit of generosity, saved 33 migrants. In the early days of Pope Francis’ papacy, about eight years ago, he told the people working around him at the Vatican, “I want to go to Lampedusa.” Some on staff advised him against going. Within a day, one staffer said, “The airline just called to say someone imitating the pope wants to fly to Lampedusa.” Laughing, they organized the visit and the pope laid a wreath honoring the dead who had drowned about 70 miles off the coast of Sicily.  Many had come so far but sadly, many overfull boats capsized. Pope Francis cautioned the world for our “culture of indifference” to this worldwide plight. Pope Francis urged every faith community to sponsor a refugee family and assured all the world that this most horrific humanitarian crisis since WWII would be solved if we do. Assumption had already sponsored a beautiful family from war-torn Myanmar and when they were well-settled we formed another refugee resettlement team, took Catholic Family Center’s Refugee Resettlement Services training, and sponsored our next family. Tsega and her children from Eritrea are doing well thanks to our parishioner’s kindness, gentleness, generosity, faithfulness, patience, and hard work. Sandy Wynne, Kathi Stolte, and Maribeth Szilagyi’s love and joyful kindness comfort Tsega and her children through grief over their father’s death in Eritrea and struggles as the family learns our language and gets to work, school, medical appointments and jobs.  Sandy as their advocate bears all the fruits of the Spirit. 

Can we invite the Spirit to cultivate our hearts to be more fruitful? The Spirit is often nudging us to be loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled. As the pandemic eases how will we respond to those nudges to be a prayerful part of creating a new normal that helps the common good?  

Blessings,
Dr. Deni Mack
Pastoral Associate Emeritus