COME HOLY SPIRIT AND RENEW THE FACE OF THE EARTH
 
We celebrate with great joy the mystery of the love of God for all humanity. We celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit on the apostles, which led them to preach salvation for all humanity. It is the will of God that human beings are given divine gifts. These divine gifts are giving to human beings to help them connect with God. In today’s world, the easy way to communicate with somebody from a distance is by phone or email. Both sides must have phone or email to be able to connect. In the same way God wants to connect with us. He wants to share with us something about himself. He wants to help human beings have some understanding about the divine plan. The best way to do this, is to give human beings divine gifts. It is so wonderful that human beings can share something of the divine. The Holy Spirit descended on the apostles and gave them power and inspiration to spread the good news of salvation with accompanying miracles. Today we celebrate the birthday of the Church. The birthday of Christianity. It was a day like this thousands of years ago that, through the power of the Holy Spirit, the apostles preached for the first time in the history of humanity, faith in God through Jesus Christ. They preached faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the redeemer of the world. What differentiates the Church from other social groups is the presence of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit sanctifies the Church and make her holy. The Church is holy and her children share from this holiness. Jesus breathed on the apostles and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them...” The forgiveness of sins can only be possible through the power of the Holy Spirit. We are sanctified and made Holy through the power of the Holy Spirit. As we participate in the activities of the Church we are made holy. We are sanctified by the word of God we hear. We are made holy through the prayers and worship we offer to God. We are made holy through the mass we celebrate. The Holy Spirit makes it possible to share in the Holiness of God. God said, “Be holy for I am holy”. God has freely given human beings the gifts that will help them be like God. The Holy Spirit comes on those who are ready and willing to be used to fulfill the will of God. Mary the mother of Jesus is an example of those who are ready and willing to allow God fulfill these plans. When Mary was told that the Holy Spirit will come upon her, Mary said, “May it be done to me according to your word”. Mary allowed the Holy Spirit to use her to bring change to the world. In the same way, the apostles opened themselves up for the Holy Spirit to use them to transform the world. Wherever and whomever the Holy Spirit descends, there is always a change, a new birth, a renewal, a transformation, a refreshing beauty. St. Paul tells us in the second reading that human beings are given spiritual gifts for the benefit of all. Paul tells us that we are different parts but one body in Christ. We are joined together by the power of the Holy Spirit in one faith and in one baptism. The whole world is therefore, united in one love of God through the Holy Spirit. When we use our gifts well we will build a beautiful world for the good of all humanity. We pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to inspire us to do great things according to the will of God. May the Holy Spirit continue to transform and renew the face of the earth. May the Holy Spirit heal and comfort those who are sick and suffering. May the Holy Spirit bring peace to places of crisis, division and war.