Weekly HOMILY for May 23, 2010: Images of the Spirit's Presence

Feast of Pentecost, Cycle C
Our Lady of Grace
May 23, 2010

Images of the Spirit’s Presence
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato


The Spirit: Brick and Mortar

This church and a number of our other parish buildings 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 then when it dries, it hardens and is far less visible than the brick.

The mortar ties the bricks to the foundation and holds all the bricks together. It transforms a pile of bricks into this church building.

Now the Holy Spirit whom we celebrate today 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. This is why each one of us seeks some security, some firm grounding that we can rely on and build our lives on.

When we look for this security or feel secure, it is really the Holy Spirit present 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

Today I also think of the image of a quilt.

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

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

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

Saint Paul today compares us to the parts of a human body, and says that we are all made one body through our baptism. This is why deep down, we all want to feel accepted and be part of the group and have friendships.

It is the Spirit present within us and moving us to that. And when we feel unwanted or alienated or cut off from others, it is again the Spirit at work moving us to seek the oneness for which we are all made.


The Spirit: Flute and Breath

A third and final image I think of today is a flute.

A flute is basically a metal tube. A few 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 musical instrument called a flute.

Once again, the Holy Spirit is something like this breath or air that flows through the metal tube. The Spirit empowers us to do good and continue the work of Jesus.

In today’s gospel, Jesus sends us forth to love, to be persons of love. This is why we feel so fulfilled when we do good things for others.

It is the Spirit present flowing through us and empowering us to be loving. And when we feel restless or when our conscience bothers us for not doing what is right and good, it is again the Spirit at work moving us to do the good that Jesus calls us to do.


Conclusion

I hope these three images help us on this feast of Pentecost.

1) The unnoticed mortar that ties the bricks of our church to the foundation and holds all of them together is something like the Holy Spirit – binding us firmly to God the Father and to Jesus the Son.

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

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

This is the Holy Spirit, God within us whom we celebrate on this feast of Pentecost.