UNITED BY ONE SPIRIT
It is not the organization and the program that makes the Church
Catholic or universal. We are a Church due to the action of the Holy Spirit.
"Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me,
so I send you... Receive the Holy Spirit" (Jn 20:21b,22b). This is the message we receive
from John's Gospel. In fact, all the readings for today's Liturgy are focused
on this one message. Today, we are celebrating Pentecost! Pentecost is the
coming of the Holy Spirit into the world. It is the celebration of a specific
work of the Spirit that empowers the Church for Christ's service in the world.
I like to share
these facts each Pentecost, so here they are: We are the Catholic Church in the
Diocese of Spokane. We all share in the ministry of our Bishop, Thomas Daly.
Our diocese includes about 13 counties in Eastern Washington, covering 24,356
square miles. It was established on December 17, 1913. Our diocese has been
blessed with many active and diverse ministries. We have ministries for people
of various ethnic backgrounds including Spanish, Native American, a Guatemala
Missionary Effort, and many more. Although we have a variety of differing
ministries in the diocese, we are all one in the Church. We are a part of the
Archdiocese of Seattle and are in union with the United States Catholic
Conference along with our Bishop. This is an important Conference for our
Church. We are all united to Rome under the Shepherd of our Faith, Pope
Francis, and under the universal laws of the Church. We also reach out to other
Christian Churches throughout the world to show that we have a common belief in
Jesus Christ.
Yet, it is not the
organization and the program that makes the Church Catholic or universal. We
are a Church due to the action of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit binds us as
one even if we are each very different. In the reading from the Acts of the
Apostles the Spirit caused people to understand each other even though they
heard the Apostles in different languages.
Yes, there are
organizational aspects and structures to the Church, be it a parish, retreat
center, diocese, or the universal Church, but that which makes us "Church"
is the very presence of the Holy Spirit in our midst - uniting us together as
the Body to the Head, Jesus Christ.
Today we celebrate
the birthday of the Church. Pentecost is the birthday of the Church because it
was on Pentecost Sunday that individuals received the Holy Spirit and became
one in Jesus Christ.
In an infinitely
greater point, Pentecost is the empowerment given by the Master to complete His
work - the salvation of mankind created in His Own Image. Jesus entrusted His
work to the disciples and continues to entrust it to each one of us as
well.
Someone dear to me
gave me this prayer and I would like to share it with you:
Whenever I journey, Lord,
Send Your Spirit to accompany me,
So that whenever I journey,
I journey with Your blessing.
Send Your Spirit to protect me,
So that however I travel,
I travel with Your peace.
Send your Spirit to guide me,
So that wherever I go,
I go with Your inspiration.
Send Your Spirit to uplift me,
So that whatever I do,
I do for Your glory. Amen!
This retreat
center, our Diocese at large, this country, and the entire world have been
empowered by our Master, Jesus Christ, with His Holy Spirit. We are called to
continue God's work on earth. Whatever we do, we do it in the Spirit of the
Lord. Pentecost is the celebration of the Spirit that gives life to our
actions. It is the celebration of the birth of the living Church, the Body of
Christ.
The Master's hands
are at work!