Feast of Pentecost, Cycle B - May 19, 2024

 Feast of Pentecost – C 

May 19, 2024

Our Lady of Grace Parish, Parkton 

 

Three Images

 

On this feast of Pentecost, I want to offer you three images that may help us to appreciate who the Holy Spirit is.

 

The Spirit: Brick and Mortar

 

Let’s begin with this church building, Our Lady of Grace church, and other buildings that are made of brick.

 

We call them brick buildings even though they are really brick and mortar. The mortar is soft and wet when it is applied, but when it dries, it hardens and is far less visible than the brick.

 

The mortar ties the bricks to one another and to the foundation. It transforms a pallet of bricks into this solid church building.

 

Now the Holy Spirit is something like this strong but not very visible mortar. The Spirit binds us to God the Father and Jesus the Son.

 

In this way, the Spirit is our strength and security against the many insecurities of life. Each one of us looks for some security, some firm grounding that we can rely on and build our lives on.

 

This is really the Holy Spirit acting within us. And when we feel insecure, it is again the Spirit moving us to seek our security in the Father and the Son.  

 

The Spirit: Quilt and Thread

 

So, brick and mortar, and then the second image is a patchwork quilt and thread.

 

A patchwork quilt can begin with many scraps of cloth. It can be made of material with different patterns and colors and fabrics.

 

But thread is a key component. Thread is barely visible to the eye, but it holds the diverse pieces of cloth together and makes them into a quilt.

 

Once again, the Holy Spirit is something like this barely visible thread. The Spirit sews or binds us to one another.

 

Saint Paul in today’s second reading compares us to the parts of a human body and says that we are all made one body through the Holy Spirit. This is why deep down, we all want to belong and feel some bond with others. 

 

This is really the Spirit acting within us. And when we feel unwanted or cut off from others, it is again the Spirit moving us to seek this oneness.

 

The Spirit: Flute and Breath

 

And the third image I offer today is a flute and breath.

 

A flute is basically a metal or wooden tube. Some holes are drilled into it at strategic points.

 

And that’s all it is until a musician breathes into it. The breath or air makes music, and the metal tube becomes a beautiful musical instrument.

 

Once again, the Holy Spirit is something like this breath or air that flows through the tube. Today’s gospel says that Jesus breathes upon the disciples and in that, gives them the Holy Spirit.

 

With the Spirit moving through them, the disciples are now empowered to continue the work of Jesus. This is why deep down, we all want to do good things in our lives.  

 

This is really the Spirit acting or breathing within us. And when we feel restless or when our conscience is bothering us, it is again the Spirit moving us to do what is right and good. 

 

Conclusion

 

I hope these three images are helpful.

 

Think about this: what is your favorite image? Is it: 

 

1) The unnoticed mortar that binds the bricks to the foundation and to one another and makes them into a strong building and is something like the Holy Spirit – binding us firmly to God the Father and to Jesus the Son.

 

Or: 

 

2) The barely visible thread that holds together pieces of cloth to make them into a quilt and is also something like the Holy Spirit – binding us to one another and making us one.

 

Or:

 

3) The invisible breath that flows through a flute and makes beautiful music and is also something like the Holy Spirit – moving us to do good for God and for one another.

 

My favorite is the brick and mortar. What is yours?

 

Whatever it is, be aware of it and be intentional about living out of it.   

The Ascension of the Lord, Cycle B - May 12, 2024

 The Ascension of the Lord– B 

May 12, 2024                       8:30 and 11am 

Our Lady of Grace Parish, Parkton

 

Worker Looking Up and Down

 

Some years ago, a construction worker in Baltimore had a piece of equipment fall down on him.

 

This young guy survived, but both of his arms and legs were broken. He was laid up for months recovering.

 

Eventually, he went back to work, and he resolved to be very careful. Whenever any object was being passed overhead anywhere near him, he would keep his eyes on it so he could jump out of the way if he had to.

 

One day he was watching very carefully as a piece of steel was being passed above fairly close to him. And as he watched, he fell into an eight-inch hole and broke his leg.

 

The poor guy! Try as he did to be careful, he got injured again. 

 

Looking Up and Down in Scripture 

 

That story helps us to appreciate a message in today’s celebration of the Ascension of Jesus.

 

In the first reading, Jesus has been taken up in a cloud and removed from the apostles’ sight. The apostles are gazing up at the sky, and two men dressed in white appear to them.

 

They ask, “Why are you standing here looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken from you into heaven will return.”

 

The point is that just gazing up at the sky does not fulfill Jesus’ calling to do his work in the world. Something like the construction worker, the apostles are missing what is right in front of them on the earth. 

 

Our Looking Up 

 

Now, our looking up at the sky is actually a good thing to do.

 

The beauty of a sunny day or a starry night can lift our spirit to God. It’s something like praying before a crucifix.

 

Or it’s like gazing at the bread and wine as they are consecrated into the body and blood of Jesus here at Mass. It’s like receiving Communion – which some of our children are doing for the first time this weekend.

 

Looking at our God in praise and awe is an important thing to do. But we also have to do something else. 

 

Our Looking Down 

 

We also have to be looking down at what’s right before us.

 

Jesus in the gospel reminds us to do this. He wants us to be about his work right here on earth, and he uses some interesting images to describe this.

 

First, Jesus says that we are to use his name to expel demons.

 

Well, for sure, we are not to use God’s name in vain or Jesus’ name as an expletive. But we are to use his name in prayer, as he taught us to pray that “his kingdom come, and his will be done on earth.”

 

Then, Jesus says that we are to speak entirely new languages.

 

This probably won’t mean that we suddenly become fluent in Russian or Chinese or whatever. But the language we are to speak will be one of civility and respect, regardless of how others may speak.

 

Jesus says that we will be able to handle serpents and drink deadly poisons.

 

This is clearly one of those instances of hyperbole or exaggeration in the gospels, and it is not to be taken literally. What Jesus means is that if we stay centered on him, we will be able to live in the world without becoming part of any hateful or life-injuring ways.  

 

And finally, Jesus says that the sick upon whom we lay our hands will recover.

 

We all know that sometimes we do not physically recover. But Jesus is saying that the presence and prayer of one another is powerful in bringing us at least spiritual strength and healing when we are sick. 

 

Conclusion

 

So, the image of the construction worker in Baltimore reminds us of the twofold call of Jesus as he ascends into heaven.

 

Look up at the sky and look down to the earth – both. Stay rooted in God and also do God’s work here and now.