Gospel Reflections for June 4 2017
Commencement exercises
At schools around the country students are graduating. Some feel ready while others might feel uncertain. Although they are ending their final year, their graduation ceremony is ironically called a “commencement.” Well …it does begin a new kind of life. Where once students only received knowledge in class from others, now they can finally begin to apply it themselves for the good of others. I hope they feel ready!
The disciples in today’s Gospel clearly do not feel ready to “commence” anything! They are afraid and do not feel they have anything to give. They are hiding from a hostile crowd, and deeply miss Our Lord, their source of strength and security. Jesus had always been nearby, and now He was gone. How could they go on?
Jesus had prepared for this and would soon send the Holy Spirit upon them. Look what happened next.
They burst out of the place where they were hiding and headed directly for the hostile crowd! They boldly spoke to everyone with confidence and courage that completely changed the crowd from hostile …to welcoming! They could not have done this on their own. It was the strength of the Holy Spirit that propelled them right toward those people who had earlier frightened them.
How many times have you ever said, “How can I face an uncertain future?” Pentecost means that we can always go forward, no matter what has happened in the past. That is good news! The world today especially needs this Spirit of peace and courage. The strength you receive from the Holy Spirit is just what you need now for your life …and is personally designed just for you.
The disciples never stopped their “bursting out” experience. For the rest of their lives, they boldly travelled to the ends of the earth to bring the person of Jesus to others. We are here today because of their efforts on that first day …the real “birthday” of the Church.
They spoke to people not to make the Church bigger and stronger, but because they recognized that the Holy Spirit provided what everyone needs, the strength to always go forward and offer our lives in service to others.
Pentecost was the most important “commencement” ceremony ever!
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Father Dave, thank you for your inspiring reflection on Pentecost as a commencement!
You are welcome!
Beautiful commentary Father Dave!!!Love your words that Pentecost is the most beautiful Commencement Ceremony ever!!! Every day we can renew that commencement and with the Holy Spirit, live Jesus’ love in the world and transform the world and make it beautiful in Faith, morals, values peace, joy and loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!
We are soooooooooooooooooooo blessed!!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeee, Franca and Dick
I know you loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee my vowels!!!!!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, Franca
…funny!
Thank you!
Dear Father Dave,
Once again, you’ve planted more seeds for thought with your synopsis of Pentecost. At first, do you think the apostles understood the Holy Spirit’s enormous impact in their lives? What happened to them was monumental.
From time to time, I’ve seen first hand how Jesus works his miracles on earth today with those we love. And that’s monumental, too.
Please keep my family in your prayers as we leave for Rome, Sunday the 11th, and then on the 14th … the thrill of a Mediterranean cruise.
God bless you and all who travel with you on your forthcoming trip to the Holy Land.
Kathleen
I hope you trip goes well!
Very well said, Fr Dave, this gave me the boost I needed. I will take this and try to move on in my life. Thank You & God Bless You
You are welcome!
Thank you father you always enlighten our new day path. God bless
You are most welcome!
Fr. Dave,
I think I know exactly how they felt.
During the Korean War when I was 22 and married I was sent to Japan for assignment in FECOM (Far East Command). I was a 2nd Lieutenant in the Infantry and fully expected to go to Korea and I knew the life expectancy for my branch, rank and job (Platoon Leader) was not very long. In fact it was very short..
I wasn’t scared, but I did think a lot about how I would handle it when I had to lead the platoon into fire. I knew I’d do it, but there was fear.
Lucky for me, they sent me to the Island of Hokaido with the 1st Cavalry Division to guard a US airbase. When my time came to go to Korea the war had ended. I said “let me outta here” and returned to wife, home and country.
They knew they’d do it, but there probably was some fear in the mix even though they knew Jesus.
Thanks for sharing your story. I think you were in just the right place to understand how the disciples felt. They went forward despite their fears, and we have the faith today because of them.
I just read a convert’s story about attending World Youth Day in Canada w/ Pope John Paul II and how on fire they were with the Holy Spirit during his sermon to them! How great would it be if every Catholic Church could send a group of youth to World Youth Day to really experience that great power! Fr. Dave, thank you for your way of joining Pentecost with our graduation youth today!
Yes, I agree. WYD has been a life changing event for so many young people. JPII was a towering figure in our faith!
Beautifully stated, Father Dave. The Holy Spirit has always been somewhat abstract and difficult for me to conceptualize when I would think of the Trinity. Your reflection sheds light and clarity on the matter. Thank you!
Fr. Dave,
Your reflection is simply wonderful and inspiring – keep up the good work, and may the Hol Spirit continue guide and bless your ministry!
Deus Lo Vult