Dear Friends,
Happy Pentecost!!! The descent of the Holy Spirit upon us is a major event in the history of the Universe. God did not only come to visit humanity once in the person of Jesus but has chosen through the Spirit to make his dwelling among us.
You may recall that the supernatural power of Jesus came through the Holy Spirit. Before Jesus was baptized, he lived in Nazareth and worked as a builder along with his father Joseph. We have no record of Jesus saying anything or doing any miracles during that time. When he was baptized, the Holy Spirit descended upon him like a dove and a voice from heaven proclaimed Jesus to be God’s beloved child. In the scriptures, baptism is the point where it all started and the Holy Spirit is responsible.
Understanding that the Holy Spirit is the empowering agent of Jesus’ ministry is so important because what started with Jesus did not end with Jesus. The same Spirit that anointed Jesus anoints all of us too. The Spirit that Jesus read about from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah in his hometown is the same Spirit who empowers us to bring Good News to the poor, freedom for the oppressed, sight for the blind, healing for the sick and salvation for the lost. To proclaim a year of favor from the Lord.
Jesus told us in the gospel a couple of weeks ago, Truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. Much reflection on this passage has happened over the years as to what Jesus meant when he referred to “greater things”. Was he talking about quantity or quality? There is no answer to that debate but for sure Jesus did not say we would do less than he did.
Everyone of us has been anointed with the same Spirit that anointed Jesus at his baptism and gave him so much power. The challenge to us is, as I mentioned in a homily a couple of weeks ago, to discern the voice of the Spirit, in a world of many voices, and then to follow that voice. St. John Cassian, in his talks to monks in the 5th century, said one of the primary works of spiritual maturity is discernment of the many voices around us. He used an image from the Rabbis of the wise moneychanger, someone who could quickly tell if a coin was counterfeit by its weight. Like the moneychangers with their coins, we should become so familiar with God’s voice that we would know quickly if God was talking to us or if it is our own voice or the voice of the evil one.
Once we are attuned to the voice of God, we can tap into the incredible power of God to bring about the same works as Jesus did. Listening in prayer to the voice of God, you will regularly hear him say, “Follow me, and I will do the rest.” Trust that and watch what amazing things the Spirit will do through you. Happy Pentecost!!!
Peace,
Fr. Damian