Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk
Pentecost Sunday – June 4, 2017
Readings:
Acts 2:1-11; Responsorial Psalm Ps 104:1ab.29bc-30.31.34(R.30);
1 Cor 12:3b-7.12-13
& Gospel John
20:19-23.
Theme:
Pentecost - The Birthday of the Church!
Friends in Christ, today is Pentecost
Sunday – A day which Catholics, Evangelists and Pentecostals lay claim to. What
is important to this day is the fact that it is crucial to the Church. The
popular saying goes, If you do not know where you are coming from, you may not
likely know where you are heading to. Rather than dwelling solely on the Holy
Spirit whom the Father promised, we shall reflect on four points namely: The
Formation of the Church, variety of gifts in the Church, unity as an
indispensable element in the Church, the manifestation of the Spirit among
believers and the abiding presence of the Spirit in the Sacraments:
1. The Formation of the Church: Pentecost marks the birthday of the Catholic Church.
Catholics proudly lay hold this teaching because of the testimony of the
scriptures as well as Church Historians. Those who try to avoid the Catholic
trap aimlessly start their Church History from the Reformation (31 October
1517). The bible accounts relate that Christ started his ministry at the age of
30 (Luke 3:23). It also discloses that He carried out his mission for three
years. It was after the paschal events of His death, resurrection and ascension
that the Holy Spirit, which He promised, came down on the apostles like tongues
of fire in 33AD on Pentecost Sunday. Therefore, Pentecost marks the official
date for opening of the Church (Catholic) (Acts 2:1-4, 38-42). This is why the
Catholic Church has 2017 solid years behind her – praise the Lord. Others put
the celebration of Pentecost also known as “WhitSunday” as dating back to the 4th
century!
2. Variety of Gifts in the Church: The message of Pentecost reminds us of the variety of
gits in the Church. Some have the gift of tongues while others have the gift of
interpreting the tongues. This speaks to the heart of God adorning His Church
with talented men and women who are called to use their gifts and talents for
the service of God and humanity. The bible says, What have you that has not
been given you by the Lord and if it has been given you by the Lord, why brag
about it? (1 Corinthians 4:7). The message of Pentecost is clear – we must have
the capacity to put into use what God has endowed us with.
3. Unity as an Indispensable Element in
the Church: That the apostles were able to
understand what others were saying in their native langue aptly describes unity
in diversity. Just take a good look at the world – the tribes, tongues, peoples
and nations (Revelations 7:9) the bible speaks about reveals the various
colours of people God has decorated the world with. By uniting the world at
Pentecost, the Spirit wants Christians everyone to speak against racism and
discrimination of all forms. This is not only a call to the United Nations or Presidents
of the most powerful nations of the earth but it is a call to all. We must,
with the help of God, push the frontiers of establishing that New World Order
of love and unity which Christ exemplified by the manner of the death he
endured on Calvary.
