On this Pentecost Sunday, concluding this most unusual Easter season, we are breathed upon again and reminded of the great gift of the Holy Spirit.
As we don the red to remind ourselves of the flames of fire that appeared on the Apostles, hear the beautiful and unusual Sequence sung after the second reading and before the Alleluia at Mass, we hear the amazing story of that
first Pentecost and the descent of the Holy Spirit.
A pastor, as the word itself signifies, is essentially a “shepherd” entrusted with the care of souls for those in his parish. The pastor’s responsibilities are laid out in Canon 528 of the church’s Code of Canon Law. They are multiple and include such things as: nourishing the faithful through the sacraments; preaching the word of God and the truths of the faith; providing for Catholic education, especially for children and young people; fostering charitable works and social justice; evangelizing the unchurched and those who have left the faith; and encouraging family prayer.
I looked up the definition of an orphan, and it said, “a child whose parents are dead.” And so in the Gospel for this weekend, our Lord Jesus states “I will not leave you orphaned; I will come to you."
I am sure when I was a youth that I went to my mother for many things — food, help with clothes, compassion when hurt, etc. WE all depend on our mothers for many things, from the moment we are conceived and for the rest of eternity. There can be many ways that our Blessed Mother Mary can help us as well and hopefully we depend on her for many things as well.
In light of the suspensions of public worship, may Catholics have asked, “Am I required to watch Mass?” in other words, is it a sin to not try to attend virtually, since it is impossible to go to Mass in person.
The first reading for this Second Sunday of Easter from St. Paul, is very appropriate for us during this time of pandemic. “They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one’s need.
Easter is new life! Easter is the story of Jesus rising from the dead as a sign of hope and promise for all who live in Christ. Easter this year will be with no Eucharist for most in our parish and world, but that does NOT mean it will be without Jesus. He is risen! He is alive!
I remember a time in my first three years of priesthood, when I was in campus ministry at the University of Kansas. At the age of 26, I was pretty much a peer with some of the students. We related very well and could be pretty honest and blunt with each other. In one particular discussion, I must have been complaining about what my pastor was wanting me to do (something I am sure Fr. Kenn can relate to), and one of the students told me that I needed “to get off my cross”.
Part of our Christian faith is the belief that our unity and community with each other in Christ is so real, so deep, so physical, and so mutually interdependent that we constitute not a cluster of different parts, but something organic and living.
Just as in any physical body there are visible aspects that can be observed with the naked eye, there are other more invisible aspects that go on under the surface and escape simple observation.
It is the same with the body of Christ.