HOMILY FOR PENTECOST SUNDAY YEAR A. (6)

HOMILY FOR PENTECOST SUNDAY YEAR A.

THEME: Pentecost and the Church of Christ.

BY: Fr. Anthony O. Ezeaputa, MA.

The Church celebrates the feast of Pentecost because of two events that occurred on the Jewish day of Pentecost following the passion, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. They are the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the first disciples of Jesus Christ and the inauguration of the mission of the Church of Christ.

The Holy Spirit and the Church cannot be separated. It is through the power of the Holy Spirit operative in the Church that God continues to sanctify and be with his adopted children forever. So, according to our traditional theology, Pentecost Day is also the birthday of the Church of Christ.

Happy birthday, dear brothers, and sisters in Christ! And long live the Catholic Church! But the Church of Christ is now torn into many conflicting groups; the one Church of Christ is now divided into many churches, each claiming to be the Church of Christ. People are now asking, “Which church is the true Church of Christ?” “How can we identify the Church founded by Jesus Christ?”

According to the Second Vatican Council, the Church founded by Jesus Christ after his resurrection and entrusted to the apostle Peter to lead and extend (John 21:15–17) to the whole world with the other apostles “subsists in” [subsistit in] only in the Catholic Church. And it is led today by the Successor of the Apostle Peter, Pope Francis, with the help of bishops in communion with him (Lumen Gentium, ????.

But some have wondered why the Council used the phrase “subsists in” (“exists as a substance” or “continues to exist”) rather than “is” [est] the Catholic Church when referring to the Church of Christ. They felt that the Council should have stated unambiguously that “the Church of Christ is the Catholic Church.”

Obviously, the Council’s phrase “subsists in” is often misinterpreted to mean that only a small part of the Church exists within the Catholic Church and the rest elsewhere. But the Council knows there is only one substance of the Church which is the Catholic Church. Besides, they used the word “subsist,” as Aristotle and Saint Thomas Aquinas used it, to mean “something that exists in itself and not in something else.”

The Council also took note of the division in the Church of Christ, particularly the Protestant Reformation. Additionally, they seek to point out that certain elements of truth and holiness, such as the Word of God and baptism, can be found in churches and ecclesial communities that are not yet in full communion with the Catholic Church (Dominus Iesus 16).

As a result, do not look for the Church of Christ elsewhere. It both “exists as substance” and “continues to exist” within the Catholic Church. Additionally, the Church of Christ has the fullness of salvation, which includes the Seven Sacraments and the Word of God, as well as four identifying marks: one, holy, catholic, and apostolic.

The Church is “one” because God, who is one, is the source of its unity. It is “holy” because of the sanctifying power that God exercises through it. The Church is “catholic,” which means “universal,” due to its episcopal structure, especially the need for the unity of all bishops and the People of God under their bishop.

And the Church is “apostolic” because she professes and attempts to live the faith of the apostles. Moreover, the apostolic ministry now continues in the Church through priestly ordination.

These four marks of the Church of Christ are its identity, mission, and aspirations.

And where else but in the Catholic Church can one find the Word of God, the Seven Sacraments, and the Four Marks of the Church?

Our first reading (Acts 2:1–11) sets the events of Pentecost Day against the backdrop of the construction of the Tower of Babel. It shows us the essential aspects of the mystery of Pentecost. They include unity, understanding, and sharing.

The whole world spoke one language, understood each other, and migrated eastward. But when they arrived in Shinar, they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves.” But to stop them from building the city, God confused their language so they couldn’t understand each other and scattered them over the world (Genesis 11:1–9).

The building of the Tower of Babel represents a way of life in which men and women believe they no longer need God. It is the notion that we are so powerful that we could practically build our own stairway to heaven, unlock its gates, and replace God.

You might agree that the teachings on love of God and neighbor by the Church of Christ now appear to be losing their sway as the principles that direct everything we do and do not do. “How men and women feel each day” appears to be the new ethical and moral standard.

Why is the number of churches multiplying each day? Why is there division and misunderstanding in the church? The answer lies in Sacred Scripture.

It is only the Holy Spirit who gives us unity, understanding, and mutual sharing by giving us a new heart, a new tongue, and new communication abilities. This is what occurred on Pentecost Day; this is what the Church of Christ stands for; and this is what we celebrate today.

Dear friends, as we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit on the first disciples of Jesus and the birthday of the Church of Christ, let us recognize that we also received the same Holy Spirit when we became Christians. Since those who are led by the Spirit of God are his children (Romans 8:14), let’s ask God to pour out his Spirit upon us today. And may the Holy Spirit enlighten and guide us to the Truth, the Way, and the Life as they are taught in the doctrines of the Church of Christ. Amen.

Fr. Anthony O. Ezeaputa, MA.
Homily for Pentecost Sunday
May 28, 2023

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