June 8th, 2025: Pentacost Sunday Homily

We have heard a lot about the Holy Spirit this morning. We are singing about the spirit, we have heard about the Spirit in scripture, we are going to sing more about the spirit later in the Mass. As well we should: today is the celebration of Pentecost.

Quick story about Audrey and me: True story, and one we will both carry with us for the rest of our lives; and it speaks directly to the message of the Holy Spirit this morning.

The story…

Similarly, in three different Gospel passages we just heard about God – the Holy Spirit – bringing people together: either through a miracle of language: to be a familiar voice in a noisy crowd to be a sign of hope and clarity for others; to act as the Church, in one body: being someone else’s voice, or hands, or feet, or eyes; or, in the case of the disciples: to go out into the world to continue Jesus’ mission. Isn’t it all really the same thing?

If you notice, in the John’s Gospel reading, in the upper room when Jesus appeared to the Apostles. This was the first time that most of the Apostles had seen Jesus since they deserted him in the Garden of Gethsemane, three days before, when he was arrested and taken before Pilate. Can you imagine their shock, first of all when he came through the locked door! Second, at his first words to them: “Peace be with you.” Not anger or scolding for having deserted him the last time they had seen one another, but he said: “Peace be with you.” He offered comfort, healing, and forgiveness. You see Real peace begins with forgiveness. Let that settle in for a minute: real peace…begins…with forgiveness. Think about those personal conflicts in your life: at home, at work, with your family members…Real peace…begins with forgiveness.

Then, Jesus showed them his wounds. Now, that was likely to prove to them that he was who he said he was; but also perhaps, to amplify the note of forgiveness: this is what I endured for you’; and you deserted me; and yet I did it all JUST to forgive you.

Then he says again: “Peace be with you. As the father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” (This, by the way, goes directly to the sacrament of reconciliation.)

He sent them out with a purpose. After he breathed new life – the Holy Spirit – into them. In that moment, Jesus gave the Apostles a mission: to continue his work in the world. He had been teaching them how to do this for the past three years. Now, he sent them out with a mission. And he breathed the Holy Spirit into them to equip them for this mission.

What was that mission? First, forgiveness of sins: “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven.” This wasn’t about holding power over others, it was about bringing people to peace …and wholeness through God’s mercy. Real peace begins with forgiveness.

Now, notably, Thomas was not there, so he did not receive the Spirit with the others. Consequently, he did not believe the resurrection: “I will not believe until I see the wounds in his hands and place my hand in his side.” It makes perfect sense: Missing the Spirit’s presence…missing God’s presence…makes it more difficult to believe. The further you get away from God, from the Eucharist…like Thomas…the harder it becomes to believe-to hold on to your faith. The good news is that, through the sending of the Spirit after Jesus’ ascension, we are all given the gift of the Holy Spirit.

All of these Scripture stories today are a message directly to us!

They send us on a mission, just like the rest of the disciples – one that might be a little less than comfortable, to go forth: Carry that spirit into the world. Bring forgiveness and healing. Be that kind voice, that familiar voice in a noisy crowd – maybe helping someone in an airport, or maybe in a family…bringing peace: the peace of Christ to all those lost sheep of His family – of our parish family. Fill the pews of Saint Martha Parish with our parish family members of all ages, to continue to spread, grow, and build His kingdom right here at Saint Martha!