PENTECOST SUNDAY HOMILY — YEAR C
PENTECOST SUNDAY HOMILY — YEAR C
HOMILY THEME: WHY DO WE HAVE SEVEN SACRAMENTS OF THE CHURCH AND SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT?
BY: Fr. Segun Oladeji, CRS.
Acts. 2: 1-11, Ps. 104, 1 Cor. 12: 3-7, 12, John 14: 15-15
Today is Pentecost Sunday, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Today the Holy Spirit will pour out His seven gifts upon us. Are we ready to receive these noble gifts of God through the Holy Spirit?
Meanwhile, the Church, in her wisdom, gave us seven sacraments, which are synonymous in number with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Do these seven gifts and sacraments, do they complement each other? Well, let’s journey together.
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INTRODUCTION
The gifts of the Holy Spirit guide the Church and her children jealously in truth and Holiness.
It is certain, that the strength and the backbone of the seven sacraments of the Church are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. Without these seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments of the church may not be effective. Hence, the world may consume the church instead of the church to consume the world.
Truly, Jesus said, the Holy Spirit will teach the truth and lead us in the right direction.
THE SACRAMENTS AND THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
I reflected on the above topic and came up with the results below 👇.
The seven Sacraments of the Church and the seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit are listed below 👇 with their corresponding numbers.
1. Baptism
1. Wisdom
2. Confirmation:
2. Understanding
3. Eucharist
3. Counsel
4. Penance
4. Fortitude
5. Anointing of the sick
5. Knowledge
6. Holy Orders
6. Piety
7. Matrimony
7. Fear of the Lord
THE INTER-RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EACH SACRAMENT WITH THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
1. BAPTISM AND WISDOM
At baptism, we become a member of the Church of Christ who is the wisdom of God. Invariably, at baptism, we receive and become incorporated inside the wisdom of God, which is His Church. Cf
CCC 1213-1284
2. CONFIRMATION AND UNDERSTANDING
Anyone who wishes to become a confirmed Catholic must have been incorporated into the Church of Christ who is the fullness of wisdom. It is this wisdom that enables one to understand. Hence, one becomes confirmed as one of her soldiers. Cf. CCC 1285-1321.
3. HOLY EUCHARIST AND COUNSEL
The spirit of Counsel helps one to have a good sense of spiritual judgement and to discern God’s will without doubt the mystery of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. The counsel to receive the body and blood of Jesus under the appearance of bread and wine. CCC 1776-1802 discusses conscience which is closely guided by the counsel of the Holy Spirit. The conscience to know and believe that Jesus is received in the Holy Eucharist. Cf. CCC 1322-1419
4. PENANCE AND FORTITUDE
The spirit of Fortitude means the spirit of Courage. The courage to admit one’s weaknesses and shortcomings and to admit that one has fallen short of God’s glory and decide without being forced to go for confession; that is, the courageous spirit with a good sense of humility to make penance for the sins committed. Cf. CCC 1422-1498
5. ANOINTING OF THE SICK AND KNOWLEDGE.
It is only a person who has the full knowledge of God can believe without doubt that the anointing of the sick is a sacrament of healing. If the Holy Spirit does not give the full knowledge of God, believing in divine healing may be difficult. The knowledge of God helps one to see God as omnipotent and omniscient who knows all things and does all things perfectly. The full Knowledge of God sustains our absolute faith in His healing process.
6. HOLY ORDER AND PIETY/FEAR OF THE LORD
The Sacrament of Holy Order, according to CCC 1536, is a sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to His apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time; thus, it is the sacrament of the apostolic ministry which includes three degrees: The Bishop, Priest and Deacon. Cf. CCC (1554-1571).
Hence, an ordained minister acts in the person of Christ, he is expected to be Holy like Jesus the High Priest. Therefore, the 6th and the 7th gifts of the Holy Spirit, which are Piety and Fear of the Lord, must accompany the indelible character mark on a Priest.
7. MATRIMONY AND FEAR OF THE LORD/PIETY.
The two baptized Catholics who have been incorporated into the wisdom of God in His Church, who became husband and wife; living in a world where single parents are becoming the order of the day because marriage to some is a Toxic battleground for most couples, should not be allowed to be consumed by the world. This holy sacrament of matrimony should go with the fear of the Lord and piety. Couples who have the fear of God become pious, and their family become a holy family like that of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Cf. CCC 1601-1666.
SUMMARY.
In summary…
1. At baptism we become incorporated into the divine wisdom of God and His Church.
2. With the help of God’s wisdom, we gain more understanding of Him and become confirmed.
3. The wisdom and the understanding of God gave us the good spirit of Counsel to receive Him @ Holy Communion without doubt
4. We become courageously fortified having the spirit of wisdom, understanding and counsel to go for confession.
5. The full knowledge of God helps to build faith in the healing of the anointing of the sick.
6. A Pius life, together with the fear of the Lord, helps one to be a holy Priest after the heart and mind of Christ.
7. A pious couple who both have a fear of God make their home holy like the Holy family’s home.
CONCLUSION
It is good to note that as one is expected to receive at most 6 out of the seven sacraments of the Church, one is also expected to possess these seven gifts of the Holy Spirit according to our states of life.
Happy birthday of the Church and Pentecost Sunday to you.
Peace ✌️ be with you.
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