Pentecost Sunday

Today is Pentecost Sunday. We celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples and the birth of the Church. We heard about the gifts given to the disciples. What gifts has the Holy Spirit given you?

In our first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we heard that in the Upper Room, a noise like a strong wind filled the house, and tongues of fire appeared over each head. Everyone was filled with the Holy Spirit. How remarkable that must have been! Jews from all over were in Jerusalem for the Pentecost celebration and they were amazed when they heard the disciples speaking to them in their own languages proclaiming the mighty deeds of God. They were witnesses to the power of the Holy Spirit.

In the second reading from the First Letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul teaches there are different spiritual gifts but they are from the same Spirit. He concludes by saying, “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.” What does St. Paul mean by this? That we are united by the Holy Spirit and that we should not try to divide what the Spirit has united.

In John’s Gospel, Jesus appears to the disciples in the Upper Room. He offers them his peace and breathes upon them the Holy Spirit. Jesus is letting the disciples know they will not be alone in continuing his mission. The Holy Spirit will be with them to give them the gifts they will need.

A young man recently asked me to give a blessing to himself and his wife who is expecting their fourth child. After the blessing, we were speaking about the Holy Spirit and how people do not call on the Holy Spirit in prayer very often. He said the Holy Spirit is the unsung hero. I think he hit upon something when it comes to our spiritual lives. The Holy Spirit is recognized in scripture, but do you recognize the Holy Spirit in your life?

It takes using eyes of faith as you look back on the day to say, that was not a coincidence, that was a Holy Spirit moment. For example, do you feel called to pray? That is a prompting of the Holy Spirit. Have you ever had this need to call an old friend or family member, and when you did it brought joy and comfort to them or you? That was the Holy Spirit calling you to be present for another.

We can better recognize those moments when the Holy Spirit is working in our lives by looking at the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit. According to Catholic tradition, there are seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. 

1. Wisdom is the ability to judge and direct human affairs according to divine truth.
2. Understanding is a deep insight into the higher truths needed for our eternal salvation. Some say it is the ability to “see” as God sees.
3. Counsel allows a person to be guided by God in matters necessary for their salvation.
4. Fortitude is a firmness of mind to do good and avoid evil, especially when it is difficult or dangerous to do so.
5. Knowledge is the ability to judge correctly about matters of faith and right action so you follow the path of justice.
6. Piety is a deep love of God through worship and serving God. It is respecting others as children of God.
7. Fear of God is not being afraid of God because of fear of punishment. Instead, we love God so much we do not want to do anything that separates us from Him.

These gifts are given to every Christian through baptism, strengthened by living a good life, and sealed in the sacrament of confirmation. These gifts help you be open to the Holy Spirit’s promptings and help you grow in holiness.

These gifts can bear fruit, and Church tradition lists twelve of them:

1. Charity expresses our love for God and our neighbors. It is an unconditional love that expects nothing in return by putting the needs of others before ourselves.
2. Generosity is being compassionate to others in spite of their flaws and weaknesses. This fruit comes from realizing we have our own flaws, yet God gives us His unconditional love and mercy.  Therefore, we should do the same for others.
3. Joy is not fleeting happiness found in earthly things. It is a lasting happiness that comes from making God the center of our lives and following His will.
4. Gentleness is having a heart of forgiveness and grace. 
5. Peace is experienced when we put our complete trust in God knowing He will provide for our needs and we should not overly worry about the future.
6. Faithfulness is living according to the will of God and knowing He is the Lord of our life. 
7. Patience is being patient even when provoked. It is enduring quietly and being steadfast when attacked by others.
8. Modesty is being humble, knowing that our successes, blessings, and talents are gifts from God. We are content with what we have and avoid selfish ambitions.
9. Kindness is having a heart willing to do acts of compassion and give to others above and beyond what we owe to them.
10. Self-control is also called temperance. It is the ability to exercise moderation in everything we do.
11. Goodness is renouncing evil in our day-to-day actions. We strive to live a good life and work to do God’s will even at the expense of earthly success.
12. Chastity is giving ourselves to Christ completely. It means using physical desires within the right context like being faithful to your spouse and respecting each other.

What gifts have you received from the Holy Spirit? How are you using them? Are they bearing fruit? These are important questions. Pray about them. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you recognize the gifts He has given you. Ask Him to guide you in using these gifts as God intends. 

At the end of each day, take time to think back on when you felt an inclination or a prompting in your heart. Think about times you experienced one of the fruits. Thank the Holy Spirit for these and ask for guidance. 

Call upon the Holy Spirit. Jesus has given you the Advocate to guide you and strengthen you. Call upon Him. Ask for advice, ask for the words in a difficult situation. When I make a hospital visit and someone has just been diagnosed with cancer, I do not have words of comfort. But before I enter the room, I ask the Holy Spirit to be with us and to be my voice. The Holy Spirit does not fail. He always gives me the right words. And when the visit is over I always say thank you.

As you prepare to receive the Eucharist, remind yourself Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist – body, blood, soul, and divinity. This is the same Jesus who breathed the Holy Spirit upon the disciples. As you received the Eucharist today, ask Jesus to reveal to you the gifts you have received through the Holy Spirit. Be open to those gifts so that they may bear fruit in service to God and one another.

May God’s grace and peace be with you.