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Pentecost Sunday homily

Fr. Michael MachacekNativity of Our LordMay 28, 2023
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today's readings are Acts 2: 1-11; Psalm 104; 1 Cor. 12: 3-7, 12-13 and John 20: 19-23

         In Christian moral theology, one of the 7 deadly sins is the sin of Pride.  A person who is excessively proud, for example, is liable to fall into patterns of narcissism.  The great theologian St. Thomas Aquinas wrote that Pride becomes a deadly sin when a person has an excessive belief in one’s own abilities, so much so that the person does not give credit to God for their gifts and talents. 

          The opposite of pride, is, of course, humility.  And while there are people who are prone to the deadly sin of Pride, I believe that there are a lot more people in our society who are prone to the deadly sin of being too humble – a sin that can be just as harmful and dangerous as having too much pride.  For when a person is too humble, they tend to view themselves as unworthy, not gifted, not talented, and often not lovable.  Unlike the prideful person, who does not give credit to God for their many gifts and talents, the overly-humble person refuses to believe that God has given them any gifts and talents.  Hence, they end up living in cocoons of self-loathing and self-doubt.  

          A wise person once said that for a person who is too humble, Pentecost is their worst nightmare come true.   For Pentecost is the celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit upon not just the Apostles, but subsequently, every single Christian.  And with the coming of the Holy Spirit, came the gifts of the Spirit which are bestowed on every believer, even the overly humble.  And as much as some may not want to believe it, the gifts of the Spirit that we first received in our baptisms and then were sealed by our confirmations never go away, as the Spirit continually prompts each one of us to discover and utilize our unique God-given gifts and talents. 

          Our first reading is a classic example of the Spirit at work.  We read how Jewish believers from many nations have gathered in Jerusalem. In their midst come the apostles, empowered by the Holy Spirit, declaring the deeds of God in different languages, so that all could understand them.  In this story we see how the Spirit took their gifts of zeal and faith and transformed all of them – the ones speaking, and the ones listening. 

          Then, in our 2nd reading, St. Paul speaks of the fact that there are a variety of gifts, but one Spirit; varieties of service, but one Lord; varieties of activities, but one God.   And Paul insists that every person is given the manifestation of the Spirit - although in different ways – so that together we can out our common mission – to be, to become, and to build the Body of Christ – the community of faith. 

          We are filled with the Holy Spirit – every single one of us.  So blessed, we shouldn’t complain or fret about the gifts and talents we don’t have, but rather we should cherish, nurture and celebrate what we do have.  Remember you are not guilty of the deadly sin of Pride to acknowledge the gifts that God has given you.  For we are all made in the image and likeness of God – and no one has been shortchanged by God in terms of being gifted.  Yes, my gifts, my talents may be quite different than yours – but we all have them.  And as each one of us is prompted by the Spirit to use those gifts, what good is it to refuse to recognize them and share them?  To do so is to do nothing for yourself, for others, and for God.  It’s like the servant in the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25) who refuses to utilize his talent given to him by the master and instead buries it.  And how does the Master react when that servant returns that unused talent?  The Master condemns him. Remember, God doesn't call you to be good, God calls you to be great.  

          Pentecost – the feast of the Holy Spirit – the Spirit which came upon the apostles 2000 years ago, and has been given to us – given to us to be, to become, and to build up the Body of Christ. Pause And if you are still struggling to believe in or recognize your many God-given gifts, then perhaps it’s time to utter that heart-filled prayer that stirred many a believer – Veni Sancte Spiritus – Come, Holy Spirit. 

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love.