Daily reflection _ united by one spirit

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.
Deacon John Ruscheinsky
"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!