B. PENTECOST HOMILY, JOHN 20:19-23, MAY 19, 2024
1. STORY
Fr. John, a missionary, was travelling to a remote village in the
jungle. An experienced guide was
selected to take him because the only way to reach the village was through the
tropical forest. The journey started out
without much problem as there was a smooth path and walking along it was easy. Eventually the path disappeared and the guide
was forced to hack away through the overgrown jungle with a machete. As their progress slowed down, the missionary
grew concerned and asked, “Where is the path?” The guide looked back at the missionary,
smiled and said, “I am the path.” Jesus
has given us the Holy Spirit to be our guide.
2. GOSPEL, JOHN 20:19-23
A. THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
The risen Christ visited his disciples several times. On one occasion he gave them the gift of the Holy Spirit. “He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” The Holy Spirit was their new guide.
B. A NEW MISSION.
Jesus not only gave the disciples a new gift but also a new mission when
he stated, “As the Father has sent me, I send you.” The Holy Spirit was to help them carry out
this new task of sharing the good news with others.
3. APPLICATION TO LIFE
A. THE HOLY SPIRIT.
The Acts of the Apostles (2:1-11) helps us to
understand the Holy Spirit. There were three things
present at Pentecost: a strong wind, tongues of fire, and the gift of tongues.
i) The strong wind is a symbol of invisible power. The Holy Spirit gives us invisible power just
as the invisible wind gives a sail boat power to move.
ii) The tongues of fire are a symbol of light. Just as a flame of fire helps us to see in a
dark room, so does the Holy Spirit gives us light to know how to carry out our
mission.
iii) The gift of tongues is a symbol of knowledge. Just as the disciples were able to speak to the people, the Holy Spirit will help us to inform others about Jesus. The Holy Spirit is our guide.
B. OUR MISSION.
The Father has sent Jesus to save the world so that all may enjoy
eternal life with God. Jesus has given
us this task. The following are two
suggestions on how to carry out this mission.
i) We pray for those who do not know Christ or who have left him. Select
one person and say one Hail Mary each day for that person’s conversion.
ii) Tell others about the happiness and peace that Jesus gives us and
will give them if they follow him. Jesus
has the power to change their lives.
4. CONCLUSION
Fr. John needed the help of the guide to reach the remote village. The disciples needed the help of the Holy
Spirit to carry out the new mission of sharing the good news about Jesus with
others. Jesus gives us the wonderful
gift of the Holy Spirit to act as our guide in carrying out our mission of
telling others about Jesus. We thank
Jesus for the precious gift of the Holy Spirit. We ask the Holy Spirit to guide us as we carry
out our new mission.
