From The Bishop

The Feast of Pentecost celebrates the gift of the Holy Spirit to Church. One of the gifts that the Holy Spirit brings to us is unity. We see this clearly stated in the Second Reading from 1 Corinthians. St. Paul states, “Now there are a variety of gifts, but the same Spirit…For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.” Here we see that there can be unity within diversity. In the Gospel Jesus offered his peace to the disciples and then gave to them the Holy Spirit. We see that peace flows from the unity we share in the Spirit. Just as God the Holy Spirit brings unity, satan, the father of lies, brings division. We see this so clearly in our world today. We need greater charity and discernment in dealing with one another. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that “God is love and love is his first gift, containing all others. God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (CCC 733). This is what the Holy Spirit offers to us and to the world. In the Gospel Jesus links His peace with the gift of the Holy Spirit. When we are united in the Spirit we experience God’s peace. Jesus then sends his disciples into the world, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” The following statement is attributed to Pope St. John XXIII: “In necessary things, unity; in doubtful things, liberty; in all things, charity.” Filled with the Holy Spirit let us bring unity and peace to the world through our many acts of charity. Come Holy Spirit and enkindle our hearts with the fire of your love and help us to renew the face of the earth.