Solemnity of Pentecost; Year A, 2017

May the Holy Spirit at this Pentecost endow you with his rich gifts and enduring fruits both now and forever. Happy Feast of Pentecost! + John I. Okoye

DOCTRINE AND FAITH
(Acts 2,1-11; I Cor 12, 3b-7.12-13;  John 20, 19-23: Solemnity of Pentecost; Year A,  2017)

            Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Pentecost which is the climax or summit of the liturgical year. Every period of the year takes its orientation form this feast because it is the conclusion of the salvific work of Christ and, therefore, conclusion of his incarnation and redemption. The first reading narrates the event of Pentecost. The second reading deals with the Holy Spirit that distributes multiples of gifts. The gospel reading gives account of the apparition of Jesus in the Cenacle to his disciples on the very day of his resurrection. The gospel shows that Pentecost is very closely connected with the incarnation and redemption. Pentecost is the fruit of Jesus’ passion and the resurrection. Jesus both died and rose from the dead in order to communicate to us the Holy Spirit. The Spirit which Jesus communicated to the Church has been leading the church and adorning the church and her individual members with His gifts and fruits.
    Scripture, particularly in Pauline letters, makes a distinction between the gifts and fruits of the Spirit. Even though they are manifestations of the Spirit through individual Christians, they are intended for the growth, renewal, strengthening, sanctification and overall good of the community of faith (the Church). The Church is built up through the gifts and fruits of the Spirit. The Greek word charisma refers to gift or favour and in its biblical sense; a charism is a gift of God the Holy Spirit, bestowed on an individual for the good of the Church. In the New Testament, the manifestation of gifts of the Spirit was first recorded on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2, 4-13). There are, for example, gifts of governance, administration, leadership, healing, the discernment of spirits, speaking in tongues and interpretation of tongues. Today, is a growing emphasis among Christians on receiving and making use of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. This is a good sign in the Church because the manifestation of the Spirit in the form of gifts is not meant for any particular period in history. However, there is need for us to take extra care not to fall into the kind of problem that Church in Corinth found itself years ago. For having been richly blessed with a variety of gifts, the Corinthian Christians quickly yielded to the temptation of competition in terms of which gift is the highest gift. While some of them said it was speaking in tongues others said it was prophecy. Without despising any gift, St Paul proposed to them what he called the excellent way. He presented love to them as the highest of the gifts (1 Corinthians 13). Not taking into consideration Paul’s explication of this matter, there are still some Christians today who think of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in competitive terms. For some, speaking in tongues is the mother of all gifts and whoever does not have it is not a genuine Christian. Some others think likewise of the gift of healing or casting out demons. In the meantime, very few Christians think of excelling in love. There is also need to guard against what might be described today as the privatization of the gifts of the Holy Spirit which renders the primary goal of charisms as favours received for the good of the community ineffective. Privatization here meant a situation whereby people desire gifts and exercise them for personal glorification and private profit. The multiplication of praying ministers and houses in different places are not unconnected with this trend. This is disturbing and should be averted before it corrupts the genuine gifts of the Holy Spirit. Gifts are for the community, which are to be exercised within the context of the community and under the guidance of the community. It is  it important to point out here that having the gifts of the Holy Spirit is not a sure indication of personal sanctity nor does it ipso facto guarantee eternal life to a Christian. The Lord Jesus did say that many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not speak in your name? Did we not cast out devils and perform many miracles in your name?’ Then I will tell them openly, I have never known you; get away from me, you workers of evil” (Matthew 7, 22-23). Again, when the seventy-two disciples came back from field work rejoicing because demons obeyed them at the mention of Jesus’ name, he said to them: do not rejoice because the evil spirits submit to you; rejoice rather that your names are written in heaven (Luke 10, 20). So, while we pray and remain open to the reception and exercise of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, every child of God, every Christian is called upon to strive for heaven. This we can do by generously putting all the gifts we have at the service of God and humanity. This we can also do by cultivating the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

    St Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, presents a comprehensive but not exhaustive list of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. It includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Paul contrasts these with the desires or works of the flesh which are: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, party spirit, envy, drunkenness and carousing. He categorically says that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5, 21). By this contrast, we know that the fruit does exactly the opposite of what the work of the flesh do. The Holy Spirit adorns the Church with these fruit (Vat II LG. 4) and they take us to heaven.  So, while the gifts of the Spirit belong more to the realm of what we do for Christ and his people, the fruit of the Spirit pertain to who we are in Christ Jesus. The fruit defines our new life, intimacy with God as well as our relationship with our fellow pilgrims on earth. Gifts and fruit of the Spirit are not alternatives. In the order of importance for our salvation, the fruit comes before the gifts. Unfortunately, nowadays, Christians seem to be interested more in the gifts than in the quality of their lives as followers of Christ. An over emphasis on gifts without a corresponding concern for the fruits creates real problem for our faith. In all, love forms a link between the gifts and the fruit of the Spirit and by allowing it to lead and direct us, we will not miss the goal, which is, our salvation. Therefore, if we act out of love and for love sake and live in love with God and his people, we will be glorified by the Father. In order to achieve this we recommend today, as we celebrate the Solemnity of Pentecost, two attitudes to be cultivated: First to cultivate a personal relationship with the Person of the Holy Spirit. Second to take cue from our Blessed Mother, Mary who remained open and exposed herself and her heart to the Holy Spirit. Happy Solemnity of Pentecost Sunday! +John I. Okoye

(graphics  by chukwubike)