8th Sunday of Easter: The Solemnity of Pentecost, May 23, 2010

1st Reading from the Book of the Acts of the Apostles, 2: 1-11
-The Coming of the Holy Spirit-

It is on a regular basis that our Nation's President work day requires that he stand up on a podium to deliver a speech. When he does it, the speech is delivered in the Nation's official language: English. And although almost every one of our Nation's citizens is able to understand English, it is very rarely that all citizens get to "hear" the same message. As a matter of fact, if almost all citizens were to ascertain and to describe the message in the same way, the occasion would be considered as a miracle.

On Pentecost day a miracle did happen. Through the Holy Spirit's intercession the believers spoke in different languages and yet everyone listening to them was able to understand the message and to interpret it equally. The message talked about God's great things.

The words used by the believers were different and yet the message heard by the people was the same? Politicians would give up their richness for a phenomenon like such. Mothers and fathers would die if their teenagers were to comprehend their words without confusion. Relationships between spouses, neighbors, and governments would significantly improve, if the blessing of understanding was to be bestowed upon them.

The Holy Spirit's goal was to spread unity amongst God's people. Through his grace people could talk and discern each others' words, and still not feel disoriented. How wonderful would this world be if we could figure out each others' messages, like people did on Pentecost day.

*****H**A**P**P**Y*****P**E**N**T**E**C**O**S**T*****D**A**Y*****

2nd Reading from the 1 Letter to the Corinthians, 12: 3b-7, 12-13
-Gifts From the Holy Spirit- & - One Body With Many Parts-
"...no one can confess 'Jesus is Lord,' without being guided by the Holy Spirit."

The Holy Spirit, in his great wisdom, gave to men different gifts. He did not do this to make some men superiors and others inferior. To some he gave knowledge, to some he gave understanding, and to others he gave the power of healing. The Holy Spirit did this just so, in order to be complete, men were in need of one each other.

Let us stop for a minute, take a step back, and look at those around us. Though we are all different externally, eye color, hair, and body type, internally we are the same. Our external appearance is nothing but a smoke screen that masks how similar we are to one another.

And we have to be internally alike because we are all creatures of God. He has given us an interesting world in the form of different skin colors, hair types, languages, and costumes, and the purpose of the differences is, again, to make sure that in becoming united we enhance the world we live in.

Despite our physical differences, we remain one in Christ. Each one of us is a different part of Jesus' one Body. Like the Father, the Son, and he Holy Spirit are three in one body, we too are many in one Jesus.

*****H**A**P**P**Y*****P**E**N**T**E**C**O**S**T*****D**A**Y*****

The Gospel according to John, 20: 19-23
-Jesus Appears to His Disciples-
"If you forgive people's sins, they are forgiven..."

Today's Gospel brings us to the time immediately after Jesus' crucifixion, when the Apostles were hiding from the authorities, fearing for their lives.

Most certainly during those days there was an absence of peace. Political turmoil had the city in full alert, and people's patience for one another was nothing a transient mirage.

On this particular night, Jesus appeared to the disciples offering them peace. Once again, the ever caring Jesus places his concern and love for the disciples above his own personal needs. Without peace there is no chance for unity, and without unity a fragmented society cannot be rescued.

As always Jesus gives us an example that deserves following. Despite of all the terrible things have been done to him, Jesus did not change his opinion of men. Jesus returns from the dead with so much peace in his heart, that he is able to share it with the disciples.

If politicians today ran the world in a similar way, so many lives would have been spared; if husbands and wives mirrored Jesus' example, divorce rate would not be as high as it is.

In order to find peace one must be ready to forgive. Forgiveness is the key that opens the door to a united world, to a united marriage, to a united church.

May we be able to imitate Jesus' ability to forgive others, so we can start the walk that leads us to a peaceful world.