HOMILY FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF PENTECOST SUNDAY YEAR C (7)

HOMILY FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF PENTECOST SUNDAY YEAR C

THEME: Come Holy Spirit Our Advocate, Come To the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.

BY: Fr. Diotacious Chikontwe SMA

HOMILY FOR SUNDAY JUNE 5 2022

*READINGS OF THE DAY*
Acts 2:1-11
Romans 8:8-17
John 14:15-16,23-26

*THEME OF THE HOMILY*
Come Holy Spirit Our Advocate, Come To the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.

*INTRODUCTION*
Dear Friends in Christ, Pentecost is the birthday of our mother, the Church. The Church began on this very day when the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles and Mary. Pentecost is the gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church. Today we hear how the Holy Spirit was breathed into the Church, making it the living body of Christ. Just as God breathed life into Adam (Genesis 2:7), Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit into the body of the Church. Remember again that, the Pentecost celebration comes fifty days after Easter. The name Pentecost is derived from the Greek word “Pentecoste”, which means fifty.

*ABOUT THE FIRST READING*
Our first reading relates the events of the coming of the Holy Spirit as a great manifestation of God’s power. The speaking in different tongues understood by all the Jews that came to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of Pentecost was a miracle. It was a clear manifestation of the mission of the universal church. It is a call for the church to be a sign of human unity. This is irrespective of race, color, or language.

*ABOUT THE SECOND READING*
In the second reading, Paul reminds us that through our “Pentecostal experience” today, an indelible mark has been placed upon us. Hence, God has specially configured us for his mission. Therefore, through today’s outpouring of the Holy Spirit, we are genuinely and fully marked as God’s children. Though adopted, we are full heirs to God’s throne and heritage.

*ABOUT OUR GOSPEL READING*
Today’s gospel reminds us of the principal roles of the Holy Spirit. These include: advocating, teaching, and reminding us of the things we ought to know. However, for this to be possible, we must be ready to cooperate with him. He can only advocate for us if we trust him and allow him to be in charge of our case.

*CONCLUSION*
Dear brethrens, We too received the Holy Spirit during our Baptism and Confirmation. But why does he not change our lives as He changed that of the apostles? Why do we behave in many ways like pagans as if we have never received the Holy Spirit?
Finally, we are encouraged by todays feast, to call on the particular service that we need from the Spirit at any particular time of our lives. We need to keep on praying, ‘Come Holy Spirit’, to keep on opening our lives more fully to this great gift of the risen Lord.
Have a Blessed Sunday of Pentecost and Happy Birthday to Our Mother, The Catholic Church.

Fr. Diotacious Chikontwe SMA