From the Pastor’s Desk
At Vespers (Evening Prayer) for the Solemnity of Pentecost, the following is the antiphon sung before and after the Magnificat – Mary’s hymn of praise recorded in Luke 2:46-55:
Today we celebrate the feast of Pentecost, alleluia;
on this day the Holy Spirit appeared before the apostles
in tongues of fire and gave them spiritual gifts.
He sent them out to preach to the whole world,
and to proclaim that all who believe and are baptized
shall be saved, alleluia.
The giving of the Holy Spirit always includes being sent. This is what it means to be an apostolic Church because the word apostle means “one who is sent.” Having received the Holy Spirit at your Baptism and in the Sacrament of Confirmation, how are you being sent? How is the Spirit challenging our parish to be, in the words of Pope Francis, “sent to the margins,” that is, those people and places where the Gospel of salvation still needs to be felt and experienced?
The Spirit is given so that the Body of Christ – the Church, God’s family – will grow. How can the gifts of the Holy Spirit assist you (and our parish) in making this happen? Our parish Mission Statement is a good place for each of us to continue such a reflection. Where is the Spirit calling you to go?
Love,
Father Tom