Pentecost

Last Sunday we entered into the mystery of the Ascension when Christ brought an end to his earthly ministry. Today we celebrate the mystery of the Church which prolongs, in a sacramental way, the presence and action of Christ in the world. As we gather at Mass we need to be aware of just how special it is to be Church and the role each one of us is called to play in the divine plan for the salvation of the world. Church doctrine teaches: "By an utterly free and mysterious decree of His own wisdom and goodness, the eternal Father created the whole world. His plan was to dignify men with a participation in his own divine life. He did not abandon men after they had fallen in Adam, but ceaselessly offered them helps to salvation, in anticipation of Christ the Redeemer... All the elect, before time began, the Father 'foreknew and predestined to become the image of his Son, that he should be the firstborn among many brethren' (Rom 8: 29)." He planned to assemble in the holy Church all those who would believe in Christ. Already from the beginning of the world the foreshadowing of the Church took place. She was prepared for a remarkable way through the history of the people of Israel and by means of the Old Covenant. Established in the present era of time, the Church was made manifest by the outpouring of the Spirit." (Lumen gentium, 2) It is this same Church, enlivened by that same Spirit, that gathers in our church buildings today with the same mission and purpose. The Catechism tells us: "thus the Church's mission is not an addition to that of Christ and the Holy Spirit, but is its sacrament in her whole being and in all her members, the Church is sent to announce, bear witness, make present, and spread the mystery of the communion of the Holy Trinity." (CCC 738). With this in mind let us open our hearts to the Holy Spirit today so we may be filled with his gifts and bearers of his fruits.