Weekly THIS AND THAT for May 31, 2009: Pentecost and Our Volunteers

This and That:
Pentecost and Our Volunteers


The Liturgical Year has many things to teach us about how Jesus is interacting in our very lives.
While Easter Sunday is at the center of our lives of faith, Jesus’ rising from the dead was not a reality his followers were in touch with, nor is it for us. We need to come around to believing and understanding it. We need to be eased into it, if you will. And so the Liturgical Year helps us do just that.

For seven weeks after Jesus’ Resurrection, we are fed on the Word and Eucharist as we hear of Jesus’ walking around the earth and appearing to the disciples. We see and feel their confusion, their disbelief, and their coming to their senses about this victory over death that is his and how it can be ours. But no sooner do the disciples get accustomed to the glorious reality that is theirs that Jesus begins to rock the boat again.

He is off to his Father’s house, that is, he is ascending to God the Father’s right hand in heaven. “Leave us? Just like that! Just after you’ve accustomed us to your presence?” They are beyond themselves! Jesus assurance is that he must go for, if he does not, he cannot send the Paraclete, the Comforter, who will teach them all things. But there is more. These very disciples will be empowered by this Spirit he will send so much so that they will now be his physical presence in the world. Quite a commission and they are getting the energy, the resource to be that formidable presence!

Last Sunday we celebrated Jesus’ Ascension, the return to the Father. Then right on the “liturgical tails” of that, this Sunday we celebrate the empowerment Jesus promised us. He sends the Holy Spirit to fill us with the seven-fold gifts that are his divine life of grace manifested in us. Concretely, we are given wisdom, understanding, right judgment, courage, knowledge, reverence, and awe of God.

Which gift of the Spirit that you have received is your strength? Which is your short suit? Which do you use in the service of the Church? This Sunday we are celebrating Pentecost, the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to us and it seems appropriate that we also celebrate and thank all the 600+ individuals who fill some 800 ministries for our parish family. If we are the Body of Christ, which we are, and if that body needs flesh and blood in terms of testifying, then our volunteers are that presence. Catechists, liturgical ministers, music ministers, office volunteers, Martha and Mary, Grace Our Table Ministers, Drama Ministry, Corporators, Pastoral, School and Reading Center Council members, a multitude of committees and panels, and scores of others, they are all the flesh and bones of this Body of Christ.

The following are how the gifts of the Spirit that they so generously place at our disposal are manifested:

➢ Wisdom – With the gift of wisdom, we see God at work in our lives and in the world. For the wise person, the wonders of nature, historical events, and the ups and downs of our lives take on deeper meaning

➢ Understanding – With the gift of understanding, we comprehend how we need to live as a follower of Jesus Christ. A person with understanding is not confused by all the conflicting messages in our culture about the right way to live. Also called “Common Sense,” the gift of understanding perfects a person’s speculative reason in the apprehension of truth

➢ Counsel (Right Judgment) – With the gift of right judgment, we know the difference between right and wrong, and we choose to do what is right. A person with right judgment avoids sin and lives out the values taught by Jesus. The gift of truth that allows the person to respond prudently, and happily to believe our Christ the Lord

➢ Courage – With the gift of courage, we overcome our fear and are willing to take risk as a follower of Jesus. A person with courage is willing to stand up for what is right in the sight of God, even if it means accepting rejection, verbal abuse, or even physical harm and death. The gift of Courage allows people the firmness of mind that is required both in doing good and in enduring evil, especially with regard to goods or evils that are difficult.

➢ Knowledge – With the gift of knowledge, we understand the meaning of God’s Revelation, especially as expressed in the life and words of Jesus Christ. A person with knowledge is always learning more about the Scriptures and Tradition. The gift of knowledge is more than an accumulation of facts

➢ Piety (Reverence) - With the gift of reverence, sometimes called piety, we have a deep sense of respect for God and the Church. A person with reverence recognizes our total reliance on God and comes before God with humility, trust, and love. Piety is the gift whereby, at the Holy Spirit’s instigation, we pay worship and duty to God as our Father

➢ Fear of the Lord (Awe of God) - With the gift of wonder and awe (fear of the lord), we are aware of the glory and majesty of God. A person with wonder and awe knows that God is the perfection of all we desire: perfect knowledge, perfect goodness, perfect power, and perfect love.
On this celebration of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the followers of Jesus, let us give thanks to the men, women and youth who so beautifully manifest that presence and thank them for their gracious service to the Church.

Fondly,
Father Nicholas