UNITED BY ONE SPIRIT
We are a Church due to the action of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit binds us into one people even if we are each very different.
Deacon John Ruscheinsky
"As the Father has sent Me so I send you... Receive the Holy Spirit" (Jn 20:21). This is the message we receive from John's Gospel; in fact, all of today's readings lead to this one message. We are celebrating the Feast of Pentecost - the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, equipping them to go out and proclaim the Good News. It is the celebration of a specific work of the Spirit, which is the empowerment of the Church for Christ's service in the world.
I always like to share some interesting 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, Bishop Blase Cupich. Our diocese includes most of Eastern Washington - about 13 counties in all. It was established on December 17, 1913 and covers a total of twenty-four thousand, three hundred and fifty-six square miles. The Spokane Diocese has many active ministries, some of which involve outreach to people of various ethnic backgrounds including Spanish and Native American. Guatemala Missionary Efforts is also one of many more ministries here in the Northwest.
Even though we have many differing ministries throughout the diocese, we are all one in the Church. We are a part of the Archdiocese of Seattle and are guided by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, in union with Rome and under the shepherd of our Faith, Pope Francis, and under the universal laws of the Church. As a community united in the Body of Christ, we reach out to other Christian churches throughout the world, sharing our common belief in Jesus Christ.
Yet, it is not the organization and the program that make us a part of the Catholic or Universal Church. We are a Church due to the action of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit binds us into one people 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 the people 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, Who is 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 empowering by the Master to complete His work, the salvation of all mankind who are created in His own image. Jesus entrusted His work to the disciples and to each one of us.
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!
We here, at Immaculate Heart Retreat Center, in this Diocese, in this country, in this 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 Master's hands are at work!