Monday 31 May 2021

Feast of the Visitation of the B.V.M.

 

Homily (Reflection) for the Feast of the Visitation of the B.V.M. (31st May, 2021) on the Gospel and the Feast

 

Zeph 3:14-18 or Rom 12:9-16;

Is 12:2-6. (R. v.6);

Lk 1:39-56.


We celebrate today the Blessed Virgin Mary (B.V.M.)’s visit to her cousin, Elizabeth shortly after the Annunciation. During the visit, John the Baptist was cleansed of the original sin. Hence, he leaped for joy, cf. Lk 1:41, 44. And under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth proclaimed that Mary is the Mother of God in these words: “Blessed are you among women” (Lk 1:42) and “the mother of my Lord” (Lk 1:43).[1]

Topic: With God in you.

In today’s gospel, Mary visited Elizabeth, the mother of Saint John the Baptist with haste. Immediately Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, John the Baptist in her womb leaped for joy. And filled with the Holy Spirit, she exclaimed with a loud cry,

Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy.

Mary at the time of this visit to Elizabeth in a Judean town in the hill country was in the early stage of her own pregnancy. The first trimester is normally very uncomfortable for women especially those carrying their first child. Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months, cf. Lk 1:56.

Many people are in various hospitals, prisons, homes, and so on waiting for us to visit them. We may have different reasons why we should not visit them especially at this time. Mary never thought of her own convenience. Again, when Elizabeth heard her greeting, the child in her womb leaped for joy because she came with Jesus. So, while visiting our brothers and sisters, we must go with God who lives in us, cf. 2Cor 6:16; Lev 26:11-12; Jn 17:23, 26. Otherwise, the effect of such visits will be just the opposite of what happened when Mary visited.

 Bible Reading: 1Jn 4:7-21.

Thought for today: God lives in us.

Let us pray: Lord, assist us to manifest to others that you truly live in us – Amen.

Holy Mary, mother of God – Pray for us.

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Sunday 30 May 2021

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity (B)

 

Homily (Reflection) for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity (B) (30th May, 2021) on the Gospel and the Solemnity

 

Deut 4:32-34.39-40;

Ps 33:4-6.9.18-20.22 (R. V. 12);

Rom 8:14-17;

Matt 28:16-20.

There was a family hosting an eleven-year-old girl from India. “The Hindu girl decided on her own to go with the family to Sunday Mass. When they came home, the husband asked the girl how she liked the Mass. “I don’t understand why the West Coast isn’t included, too,” the girl replied. When they inquired what she meant, she said, “You know, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the whole East Coast” (Fuller, G. (2010). Stories for all seasons. Mumbai: St Pauls, p. 75). This reminds me of a similar story about a Muslim caught by some aggrieved Christians during one of religious clashes in the Northern part of the country. When asked whether he was a Muslim or a Christian he said he was a Christian. Since one’s religion is not written on the forehead, he was asked to complete the statement: “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the ....” The Muslim shouted “kai, yeewaa!, this na small one.... of him mama.”

Topic: Manifestations of the Trinity.


In the Old Testament, the image of God the Father is more prominent than that of God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. This does not imply that either God the Son or God the Holy Spirit or both are not in the Old Testament as attested by these statements: “... the Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters” (Gen 1:2), “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness ...’” (Gen 1:26). Again, in the prophet Hosea we read: “... out of Egypt I called my son” (Hos 11:1). Although this statement looks as if referring just to Israel but the gospel according to Saint Matthew states that it also refers to Christ, cf. Matt 2:15. And many other passages also made mention of the “Spirit of God” cf. Gen 41:38; Ex 31:3; Num 24:2, among others.

The image of God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are better seen in the New Testament. Beginning with the angel’s message to the Blessed Virgin Mary “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God” (Lk 1:35). And the gospel according to Saint Mark also reads: “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (Mk 1:1). According to Saint John, the essence of his gospel is for us to “believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God” (Jn 20:30-31). Although the first letter of Saint John states that all must believe in this testimony (cf. 1Jn 5:10; Jn 3:18) but the Jews saw the whole idea of Jesus being the Son of God as a very bitter kola to chew and was their major reason why Jesus deserved to die, cf. Jn 19:7. Even the unclean spirits proclaimed that Jesus is the Son of God, cf. Mk 3:11; Lk 4:41. And the equality of Jesus and his Father is not in doubt: “I and the Father are one” (Jn 10:30).

Before leaving this world, Jesus promised his disciples the Holy Spirit, cf. Jn 16:7 and fulfilled this promise on the Pentecost day as we celebrated last Sunday, cf. Acts 2:1-4. The Father sent his Son into the world “as the Saviour of the world” (1Jn 4:14; 4:10) and also testified for Him in these words: “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” (Lk 9:35). And Jesus made the Father known in the world, cf. Jn 1:18; 17:26. And again, of the Holy Spirit, Jesus said: “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf” (Jn 15:26). Just as Jesus made known to us what he learnt from the Father, (cf. Jn 15:15), the Holy Spirit said Jesus “... will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come” (Jn 16:13).

Bearing in mind what happened to Saint Augustine as he tried to crack the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity, it is important to note that “I do not intend to give a lecture on the Most Holy Trinity”. Just as our topic suggests, our aim is to first see some of the manifestations of the Most Holy Trinity in the bible and secondly apply them to our lives.

We read from the prophet Daniel: “The king said to Daniel, ‘Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery’” (Dan 2:47). Although the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity is central to the Christian faith yet it cannot be fully understood. Hence, it is rightly called a mystery. It is God Himself who reveals mysteries including the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity according to his will, cf. Matt 11:27; Lk 10:22; Gal 1:16.

We are created by the Most Holy Trinity and in the likeness of the Most Holy Trinity (Gen 1:26; 5:1). And in today’s gospel we read: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matt 28:19). As we can see in this passage, we are also called by and baptized in the Most Holy Trinity. Hence as introduction to today’s solemnity we read from The Sunday Missal: “We celebrate our baptism in the name of the Trinity as a result of which we have received the spirit of sons and are privileged to call the great God of glory and majesty our Father” (Culled from The Sunday Missal: A new edition (1995). London: HarperCollinsReligious, p. 573).

So, although we neither fully understand nor explain the Most Holy Trinity, we owe our existence to this mystery (greatest) of all the mysteries because it is the mystery of God Himself. And quoting our penny catechism, our souls resemble the Trinity because “… as in one God there are three Persons, so in my soul there are three powers – my memory, my understanding, and my will” (nn 29 -30). Based on these, I consider ourselves individually as manifestations of the Most Holy Trinity. The main point now is that both our relationship with the Most Holy Trinity (God) and with our brothers and sisters ought to be likened to the relationship in the Most Holy Trinity. And as each person of the Most Holy Trinity makes the other better known, how do we make both the Most Holy Trinity and our brothers and sisters better known?

We read from Saint Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians:

For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known (1Cor 13:9-12).

And we conclude with this from the first letter of Saint John: “Beloved, we are God's children now; it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” (1Jn 3:2). Let us therefore be ready for God by being good manifestations of the Most Holy Trinity we ought to be. Remember to be holy as you manifest the Most Holy Trinity.

Bible Reading: Gen 1:26; 3:22; Matt 28:16-20; 1Cor 12:4-6; Eph 4:1-6; Jn 14; Jn 17.

Silent Prayer: To what extent are you a manifestation of the Most Holy Trinity?

Let us Pray: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be world without end – Amen.

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Saturday 29 May 2021

Saturday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time (I)

 Homily (Reflection) for Saturday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (29th May, 2021) on the Gospel

(B.V.M. on Saturday, Opt. Mem)

 

Sir 51:12-20;

Ps 18:8-11. (R. v.9);

Mk 11:27-33.

Topic: Do not protect evil.


Jesus was walking in the temple when the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to Him in today’s gospel and asked, “By what authority are you doing these things? Who gave you this authority to do them?” Jesus asked them in return, “Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?” After arguing among themselves they replied, “We do not know.” And consequently, Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

Their questions referred to the cleaning of the temple that made them look for a way to kill Jesus, cf. Mk 11:18. So, these questions were actually traps to actualise their plan. Unfortunately for them, the words of the Psalmist were fulfilled: “The nations have sunk in the pit which they made; in the net which they hid has their own foot been caught” (Ps 9:15).

They made fortune out of the illegal transactions in the temple, cf. Mk 11:17; Is 56:7. As a result, they saw Jesus as a big threat to their source of wealth and were determined to bring Him to an end.

These men were leaders of the people both in the religious and civil matters. However, the love of money has made them wander away from God, cf. 1Tim 6:10. Wait a minute, what about you and me? We all have areas very dear to us. It is very important to find out what actually moves each and every one of us to the defence of those things.

Bible Reading: Ps 23.

Thought for today: Do not deny God by your actions, cf. Tit 1:16.

Let us pray: God, help us to be good to all – Amen.

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Friday 28 May 2021

Friday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time (I)

 

Homily (Reflection) for Friday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (28th May, 2021) on the Gospel

 

Sir 44:1.9-13;

Ps 149:1-6.9. (R. v.4);

Mk 11:11-26.

Topic: Jesus or the fig tree.


Today’s gospel is basically made up of two sections; the cursing of the fig tree (Mk 11:12-19) and the lesson from the withered fig tree (Mk 11:20-26). Verse 11 serves as an introduction to the gospel. And some versions of the bible do not have verse 26.

Our reflection is on the first section. Jesus searched for fruits on a fig tree but found nothing but leaves. And the evangelist excused the fig tree, “...it was not the season for figs.” We remember that there is a season for everything, cf. Eccl 3:1. Yet, Jesus did not excuse the fig tree that failed to bear fruits outside the season for figs but cursed it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.”

Let us look beyond the fig tree out there because through the prophet Isaiah God said, “the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel” (Is 5:7). By implication, every Israelite is a vine. He/she who plants a vineyard or a fig tree ought to eat of its fruits, cf. 1Cor 9:7; Deut 20:6. And God who planted Israel expects it to bear fruits. They include: to fear Him, to walk humbly in all His ways, to love Him, to do justice, to love kindness, to serve Him with all their hearts and with all their soul, cf. Deut 10:12; Mic 6:8.

God expects these fruits in the proper season. And this according to the book of Deuteronomy is at all times including the old age, cf. Deut 11:1. 6:24; Ps 92:14. Therefore, the fig tree without fruits has not excuse.

Every Christian is a citizen and a member of the household of God (new Israel), cf. Eph 2:19. The question now is, what fruits do we produce or do we wait for an illusory season? God will not spare any person who fails to bear good fruits.

Bible Reading: Is 5:1-7; Lk 13:6-9.

Thought for today: Bearing fruits is a must.

Let us pray: Lord and master of the vineyard, help us bear good fruits always – Amen.

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Thursday 27 May 2021

Thursday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time (I)

 Homily (Reflection) for Thursday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (27th May, 2021) on the Gospel

 

Sir 42:15-25;

Ps 32:2-9. (R. v.6);

Mk 10:46-52.

Topic: Take a stand.


Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside as Jesus was leaving Jericho in today’s gospel. Immediately he learnt that Jesus of Nazareth was passing, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” The more the people ordered him to keep calm, the louder he shouted. Jesus stood still and asked them to call him. The same people who were ordering him to shut up said to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” And “...throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ The blind man said to him, ‘My teacher, let me see again.’”

We are constantly faced with different challenges (temptations) of life. The letter to the Corinthians reads,

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it (1Cor 10:13).

Bartimaeus regained his sight because he did not allow himself to be swallowed up by the crowd. Let us follow the example of Bartimaeus and never chicken out? Remember, unless one submitted him/herself to God and resist the devil, the devil will not flee from him/her, cf. Jas 4:7.

Bible Reading: 1Cor 10:6-22.

Thought for today: No one has a stand until he/she takes it.

Let us pray: Lord, help us to follow what is best always – Amen.

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Wednesday 26 May 2021

Memorial of Saint Philip Neri, P.

 

Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of Saint Philip Neri, P. (26th May, 2021) on the Gospel and the Memorial

 

Sir 36:1.4-5.10-17;

Ps 78:8-9.11.13. (R. Sir 36:1);

Mk 10:32-45.


Saint Philip Neri was born in Florence in the year 1515. He abandoned the chance to become a businessman and moved to Rome where he devoted his life and individuality to God. Philip Neri was ordained a priest at the urging of his confessor and soon became an outstanding confessor, gifted with the knack of piercing the pretences and illusions of others. He founded a religious institute, the Oratory. His characteristic virtues were humility and gaiety. Philip Neri was a sign of contradiction, combining popularity with piety against the background of a corrupt Rome and a disinterested clergy, the whole post-Renaissance malaise. He died in the year 1595.[1]

Topic: Focus on the point.

Today’s gospel is made up of two sections: Jesus’ prophecy on His death and resurrection (Mk 10:32-34) and the request of James and John (Mk 10:35-45).

Christ knew that cross would be really scandalous if not properly understood, cf. 1Cor 1:23; Gal 5:11. To forestall this, He repeatedly told His disciples that it was coming, cf. Jn 13:19.14:29. And in today’s gospel, He made this prophecy the third time. Surprisingly, as He was doing that the apostles were preoccupied with trivial issues.

Consequent upon this, I call on each and every one of us to have a personal reflection on his/her mission especially in the house of God because God will “search the mind and try the heart, to give to every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings” (Jer 17:10; cf. Heb 4:12; Rev 2:23). The letter to the Romans reads,

“To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, indeed it cannot” (Rom 8:6-7).

God understands every plan and thought. And whoever seeks God will find Him but He casts off those who forsake Him, cf. 1Chr 28:9; Prov 11:20.12:8. Let us therefore seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness (Focus on the point) and every other thing will be given to us as well just like Saint Philip Neri did, cf. Matt 6:33.

Bible Reading: Lk 11:33-36.

Thought for today: He who trusts in his own mind is a fool, cf. Prov 28:26.

Let us pray: May the will of God be done on earth as it is in heaven – Amen (cf. Matt 6:10).

Saint Philip Neri – Pray for us.

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Tuesday 25 May 2021

Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time (I)

 Homily (Reflection) for Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (25th May, 2021) on the Gospel

 

Sir 35:1-12;

Ps 49:5-8.14.23. (R. v.23);

Mk 10:28-31.

Topic: You need not.


Saint Peter said to Jesus in today’s gospel, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.” And in Matthew chapter 19 verse 27, he even added: “What then shall we have?” Jesus assured him and in fact all of us,

Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age – houses, brothers and sister, mothers and children, and fields with persecutions – and in the age to come eternal life.

The letter to the Hebrews reads, “And before him [God] no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account” (Heb 4:13). Again, “...God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything” (1Jn 3:20). And He is a faithful God, cf. Deut 7:9; Ps 31:5. 145:13; Is 49:7; 1Cor 1:9. 10:13.

Since God is All-knowing and faithful, we need not have double minds because He is fully aware of all our works, cf. Rev 2:2, 19. He will certainly reward each person according to his/her works, cf. Rom 2:6; 1Cor 3:8. We must therefore do every good work freely for their full rewards, cf. 1Cor 9:17. Similarly, Saint John also warns, “Look to yourselves, that you may not lose what you have worked for, but may win a full reward” (2Jn 1:8). The Lord is coming with His reward, cf. Is 40:10. However, He knows those who are His, cf. 2Tim 2:19.

Bible Reading: Ps 145.

Thought for today: The LORD ...knows those who take refuge in him (Nah 1:7).

Let us pray: God, help us do every good work freely for your reward in this life and in the world to come – Amen.

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Monday 24 May 2021

Feast of Mary, Mother of the Church

 

Homily (Reflection) for the Feast of Mary, Mother of the Church (24th May, 2021) on the Gospel and the Feast

 

Gen 3:9-15.20;

Ps 87. (R. v.3);

Jn 19:25-34.


In Roman Catholic Mariology, Mother of the Church is a title officially given to Mary by Pope Paul VI. It was first used in the 4th century by Saint Ambrose of Milan, as rediscovered by Hugo Rahner. This title was also used by Pope Benedict XIV in 1748 and by Pope Leo XIII in 1885. Pope John Paul II placed it in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and in 2018, Pope Francis decreed that the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church be inserted into the Roman Calendar on the Monday after Pentecost and to be celebrated every year. The decree was signed on February 11, 2018, the memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes, at the 160th anniversary of the Lourdes apparitions. It was issued on March 3, 2018.[1]

Topic: Here is your mother (Jn 19:27).

In today’s gospel pericope, hanging on the cross,

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, here is your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home (Jn 19:26-27)

It is worth noting that Saint John (beloved disciple) represented the whole church at the foot of the cross. Again, he was standing next to or very close to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Jesus referred to His disciples as His brothers, cf. Matt 28:10. Mary was devoted to prayer together with the apostles and other disciples, cf. Acts 1:14.

However, some are not comfortable seeing Mary recognized as mother by any Christian. How can one explain to these that the woman they hate so much is their mother?

In the book of Revelation, we read: “And the dragon was angry at the woman and declared war against the rest of her children – all who keep God’s commandments and maintain their testimony for Jesus” (Rev 12:17, NLT). This implies that whoever truly keeps God’s commandments and maintain his/her testimony for Jesus is a child of Mary because she is that woman whose other children “keep God’s commandments and maintain their testimony for Jesus”. We must be grateful to God for allowing us to be called His children and the children of Mary and that is what we are, cf. 1Jn 3:1; Rev 12:17. She does in no way as some think block our access to God instead she encourages us to do whatever He tells us, cf. Jn 2:5. Again, according to Pope Paul VI, Mary is the “Mother of the Church because she gave birth to Christ” who is the head of the Church, cf. Eph 5:23; Col 1:18. Hence, during the closing of the third session of the Second Vatican Council on November 21, 1964, he said, “We declare Mary Most Holy Mother of the Church, that is, of all the Christian people”.

 Bible Reading: Rev 12:13-17; Jn 8:31-59.

Thought for today: Who is your mother?

Let us pray: Lord, help us to appreciate the gift of Mary in our lives and the life of the church – Amen.

Mary, Mother of the Church – Pray for us.

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Sunday 23 May 2021

Pentecost Sunday (B)

 Homily (Reflection) for Pentecost Sunday (B) (23rd May, 2021) on the Gospel

Acts 2:1-11;

Ps 103:1.24.29-31.34 (R. cf. V. 30);

Gal 5:16-25;

Jn 15:26-27;16:12-15.


The solemnity of Pentecost concludes the fifty days of the sacred season of Easter. The “Church recalls the gift of the Holy Spirit to the Apostles, the beginning of the Church, and the start of her mission to all tongues and peoples and nations” (2021 Liturgical Calendar (Ordo) for the celebration of Mass and the Liturgy of Hours for the church in Nigeria, Iperu-Remo: The Ambassador Publications, p. 93).

Topic: Gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Customarily, people seek varied gifts during the solemnity of Pentecost. This for many is in line with Saint Paul’s counsel “... earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy” (1Cor 14:1). However, “The unspiritual man does not receive the gifts of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him...” (1Cor 2:14).

As we seek for the gifts of the Holy Spirit, it is important to remember that they are for the common good, cf. 1Cor 12:7. However, many who seek them are doing so for their personal gains. We tend to forget the injunction of Christ, “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying, give without pay” (Matt 10:8). What many desire today under the pretext of spiritual gifts are in no way spiritual because their intentions are evil, cf. Gal 5:17; Rom 8:5. In his letter, Saint Jude describes these people in this way: “It is these worldly people, devoid of the Spirit, who are causing divisions” (Jude 19). Holy Spirit is God’s gift to those who love (obey) him and should be desired accordingly and not as do or die affair, cf. Acts 5:32. It is no body’s right.

To further understand why the clamour for these ‘extraordinary’ gifts, let us read the words of our Lord Jesus Christ quoting Isaiah 61:1ff:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, and let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour (Lk 4:18-19).

Although there are many men and women who say today that they have been anointed by God, how many of these were anointed "to bring good news to the poor”, and/or sent “to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, and let the oppressed go free”? Just imagine these classes of people; can they give tithe offerings among so many others the people of God are expected to offer today?

With no intention to undermine the words of Saint Paul already cited, the gift we ought to desire most today before any other if there is need for any other is the one that will enable us “... understand the gifts bestowed on us by God” (1Cor 2:12). Saint Paul rightly wrote, we “are not lacking in any spiritual gift” (1Cor 1:7). He went further, “I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own special gift from God, one of one kind and one of another” (1Cor 7:7). And to Timothy, “Do not neglect the gift you have ...” (1Tim 4:14). We all ought “... to rekindle the gift of God that is within” us (2Tim 1:6).

Ordinarily one who should be seeking for promotion to another class must have done creditably well in the class he or she is. But many who today desire other gifts have not even understood the gifts given to them by God. Just imagine how wonderful someone who is not even aware of what he/she has must have utilized them. Hence, I maintain that the problem is in the ability to discern the gift/s one has been blessed with and the readiness to put it/them into good use for the common good.

When the people who gathered on the Pentecost day enquired of what they would do, “Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’” (Acts 2:38). And the Church in line with the scripture still believes and also teaches that we receive the Holy Spirit at our Baptism and Confirmation.

We read from the prophet Isaiah “And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD” (Is 11:2). And in the book of Exodus, we also read:

See, I have called by name Bezalel son of Uri son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: and I have filled him with divine spirit [spirit of God], with ability, intelligence, and knowledge in every kind of craft, to device artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, in every kind of craft (Ex 31:2-5).

The gifts of the Holy Spirit as we can see are much more than what some run helter-skelter for today. It involves every gift that one has. Hence, Saint Paul rightly wrote “... there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit” (1Cor 12:4). He went further “All these are inspired by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills” (1Cor 12:11).

Let us conclude with the story of a certain guide who “lived in the deserts of Arabia who never lost his way. He carried with him a homing pigeon with a very fine cord attached to one of its legs. When in doubts to which path to take, he threw the bird into the air. The pigeon quickly strained at the cord to fly in the direction of home, and thus led the guide accurately to his goal.

“So, too the Holy Spirit, the heavenly Dove, is willing and able to direct us in the narrow way that leads to the more abundant life if in humble self-denial we submit to his unerring supervision”. (Culled from Sagayanathan, A. (2009). Launching pad: Stories for Sunday Homilies year – A, B & C. Bangalore: Asian Trading Corporation, p. 176).

We have been sealed for the day of redemption in the Holy Spirit of God, cf. Eph 4:30. Like the dove man, every Christian who does not want to miss his/her way to God must be humble enough and allow the Holy Spirit to lead him/her even when the route is contrary to what one expects. Hence, Jesus tells us that the Holy Spirit is the one to guide us into all the truth, cf. Jn 16:13. His foolishness is better than the wisdom of the wisest of all creatures, cf. 1Cor 1:25; Is 40:13.

Bible Reading: Hos 9:1-17; Jer 14:13-22; Jn 14: 15-31; Rom 8: 1-30; Acts 8:4-25; 1Cor 12:1-31; Col 3:1-17.

Thought for today: Why do you desire that gift of the Holy Spirit?

Let us pray: Let us therefore ask the Holy Spirit to come with His fire, the fire of love:

Come Holy Spirit and fill the hearts of the faithful.

And enkindle in them the fire of your love.

Send forth your Spirit and they shall be recreated.

And you shall renew the face of the earth – Amen.

Wishing you and your entire family full realization of the gifts of the Holy Spirit you have and their utmost use for the common good – Amen.

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