Fr. Martin ALI KEKE NDEMSOU sx
PENTECOST SUNDAY
Every year, the solemnity of Pentecost is for us an opportunity to meditate on the gift of the Holy Spirit. In the second reading of this Sunday, Saint Paul tells us: “Since the Spirit is our life, let us be directed by the Spirit” (Ga5: 25). Indeed, the Holy Spirit must not be reduced to a mere power or force. He (the Holy Spirit) is the third person of the Most Holy Trinity. As such He can truly guide us if we are docile to Him.
How can we know that we are directed by the Holy Spirit? Again we find the answer in the letter of Saint Paul to the Galatians, from which the second reading is taken. Here is the fruit which the Holy Spirit brings into our lives when we are led by Him: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, truthfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Ga5: 22-23). Are we led by the Holy Spirit?
In addition, led by the Holy Spirit, we can become witnesses of Jesus Christ who said to his disciples: “When the Advocate comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who issues from the Father, he will be my witness. And you too will be my witnesses”(Jn15: 26-27a). Thus the first witness of the Lord Jesus is the Holy Spirit. That’s why He is the protagonist of evangelization. (cf. Redemptoris Missio, n° 21). All agents of evangelization should permit the Holy Spirit to guide them so that they may be great instruments of the Lord Jesus in the world.
The Advocate is capable of changing us from cowardice to boldness as He did with the apostles. They were coward until Pentecost. The coming of the Holy Spirit made them witnesses and prophets (cf. Acts 1:8; 2: 17-18). He filled them with serene courage which impelled them to pass on to others their experience of Jesus and hope which motivated them. The Holy Spirit gave them the ability to bear witness to Jesus with boldness (cf. RM, n°24).
The boldness that comes from the Holy Spirit is what Christians need in today’s world where everything seems to frighten us and weaken our faith in the Lord Jesus. As we celebrate Pentecost, let us allow the Holy Spirit to lead us to the Truth. Let us invite Him (the Holy Spirit) to fall afresh into our hearts and liberate us from cowardice. Then we can be true witnesses of Jesus Christ.
PENTECOST SUNDAY
Every year, the solemnity of Pentecost is for us an opportunity to meditate on the gift of the Holy Spirit. In the second reading of this Sunday, Saint Paul tells us: “Since the Spirit is our life, let us be directed by the Spirit” (Ga5: 25). Indeed, the Holy Spirit must not be reduced to a mere power or force. He (the Holy Spirit) is the third person of the Most Holy Trinity. As such He can truly guide us if we are docile to Him.
How can we know that we are directed by the Holy Spirit? Again we find the answer in the letter of Saint Paul to the Galatians, from which the second reading is taken. Here is the fruit which the Holy Spirit brings into our lives when we are led by Him: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, truthfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Ga5: 22-23). Are we led by the Holy Spirit?
In addition, led by the Holy Spirit, we can become witnesses of Jesus Christ who said to his disciples: “When the Advocate comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who issues from the Father, he will be my witness. And you too will be my witnesses”(Jn15: 26-27a). Thus the first witness of the Lord Jesus is the Holy Spirit. That’s why He is the protagonist of evangelization. (cf. Redemptoris Missio, n° 21). All agents of evangelization should permit the Holy Spirit to guide them so that they may be great instruments of the Lord Jesus in the world.
The Advocate is capable of changing us from cowardice to boldness as He did with the apostles. They were coward until Pentecost. The coming of the Holy Spirit made them witnesses and prophets (cf. Acts 1:8; 2: 17-18). He filled them with serene courage which impelled them to pass on to others their experience of Jesus and hope which motivated them. The Holy Spirit gave them the ability to bear witness to Jesus with boldness (cf. RM, n°24).
The boldness that comes from the Holy Spirit is what Christians need in today’s world where everything seems to frighten us and weaken our faith in the Lord Jesus. As we celebrate Pentecost, let us allow the Holy Spirit to lead us to the Truth. Let us invite Him (the Holy Spirit) to fall afresh into our hearts and liberate us from cowardice. Then we can be true witnesses of Jesus Christ.