The Holy Spirit Amongst Us Fr. Mark Greenaway-Robbins, The Feast of Pentecost, June 8, 2014 Who doesn’t have “hot button” issues? I mean those topics which can make our blood boil. Often it is family and close friends who push our hot button concerns, sometimes as a sport, or on a whim. I’d be amazed if you don’t have such buttons. If you want to get me going, here are two of my many hot topic buttons.
“Christianity is a private religion. It’s my business and not yours. It’s not for me to talk about and share with others.” Secondly, “Christianity is just an emotional crutch. Christians are all a bit wounded, lame and pathetic. It is a way of limping through life. When you get enlightened with reason and science, and when you come to more maturity you will let go of Christianity and move on.”
On the feast of Pentecost, as the sacrament of baptism is celebrated, we are reminded that in a new and special way the Holy Spirit is with us every step of the way from our baptism onwards for the rest of our lives. In the Nicene creeds we profess our faith in the Holy Spirit who is “the Lord, the giver of life”. Two things happen when we live with the Holy Spirit as our Lord and giver of life.
In 1 Corinthians chapter 12 Paul describes various activities and gifts in the Church. Each of us is gifted with unique charisms, gifts and ministries. To be a Christian is to be interdependent. Christianity has never been and cannot be a private religion because we need each other and we rejoice with each other. The Holy Spirit works with us and through us corporately, as a community. Imagine, if you would, the folk around you when you are seated in church.
We need each other. We are interdependent through the Holy Spirit. Together we are called to transform the world, for the healing of the nations and one another. We don’t have to like each other. What a relief. We are called to love each other in Christ, to be full of Christian charity. So through the Holy Spirit who is the Lord and giver of life we are interdependent - there is no private religion.
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Have you noticed in Holy Scripture how often an angel may appear, or someone appears, or Jesus appears saying, “Don’t be afraid”. Think of Gabriel and Mary, or the disciples who are locked in a room full of fear after the resurrection. Jesus appeared and said, “Peace be with you”. We don’t need to be afraid. As Christians we are called to be open to the Holy Spirit and to walk towards our fears because we are a people who seek truth. The Holy Spirit leads us into all truth. If we live that and believe that then our fears are an opportunity for grace. What are things about which you are most afraid in your life at this time? Could you consider that with God’s help can you walk into those fears with the help of one another, and they are opportunities for healing, wholeness, grace and growth. This is because as Christians we are a people who seek the truth. This is why we never need to be afraid of confession because we know that through repentance we have the assurance of forgiveness and absolution. The Holy Spirit is the Lord, the giver of life, who leads us into all truth. Christianity isn’t an emotional crutch, it’s not a pathetic way of limping through this life. It’s a great joy to live abundantly because we are a truth-bearing and truth-seeking people. We share in this great work together.
Come Holy Spirit fill the hearts of your faithful people and kindle in us the fire of your love.
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