The Spirit makes all things new; we are the ones who grow old and want to keep everything to our aged way of doing things… the Spirit is never old, the Spirit is always young.’ Oscar Romero

Next weekend our Lumen Christi Pastoral region will celebrate the Confirmation of 100 candidates on the Feast of Pentecost. I am very grateful to Bishop Brian Mascord, Fr Bernard Gordon, Cathy Zamroz and a host of teacher and parent volunteers who journeyed with the candidates during this important time of initiation into the Catholic Church.

Every Sacrament not only draws us more deeply into the mystery of Christ but it also draws us more deeply into the mystery of the Church. Through the laying on of hands and the anointing with the oil of chrism the candidates will be received into full membership of the Church, as followers of Jesus. 

The first followers of Jesus weren’t strong, courageous or even very faithful. They betrayed, denied and deserted Jesus when he needed them the most. After his death they hid themselves away in fear as they had lost all heart and hope.

Then the oddest thing happens to them when the room they were gathered in, became filled with the sound of a mighty wind and the sight of fire! These frightened men and women are transformed through the coming of the Holy Spirit. Now they are given new hope, new heart and new purpose. Their fear and silence is replaced by courage and conviction. They leave their hiding place and make their way into the streets and proclaim the good news of the Resurrection. They become new people with a new message.

We are no different than these disciples. Through our Baptism and Confirmation, each of us has been filled and anointed with the exact same Holy Spirit. Just as the first followers of this proclaimed the good news about Jesus; we too are called to do the exact same today. Just as these men and women were transformed into energetic and outspoken witnesses of Jesus, so too must each of us today.

In the story of Pentecost, there is nothing gentle or mild. The Holy Spirit is powerful, life-changing and energetic. The Holy Spirit challenges us and calls us to change.

The Spirit, as Saint Paul says, unites us to Christ: ‘Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.’ (Romans 8: 9).

Come, Holy Spirit, renew your Church and stir up your people.
In place of fear, give us courage to go where you call us.
In place of apathy, give us a passion to proclaim.
In place of shyness, give us the right words to speak.
In place of reticence, motivate us to deeds of love.
Send us out as labourers in the harvest that, through our words
and actions, all those we meet may hear God’s word in us. Amen.

Yours in Faith, Justice and Learning