HOMILY
PENTECOST 2016
Fr O’GRADY
“EUREKA..I’VE FOUND IT”—How often that catch phrase is used at a moment of discovery or when we have a brilliant revelation.
Interesting that this word comes from the ancient Greek scientist Archimedes who said this when he found out how to purify gold and used the Greek word “heurica” meaning “to find”.
For us today we might call it our “A-HA “ moment..”A-ha”, I’ve got it. “A-Ha” now I see it!
(Or when I say A_HA I’ve found my car keys..I’ve found my glasses!)
Well, today the feast of Pentecost was for the disciples the “ Eureka” or “A-ha” moment when the Holy Spirit of God descended upon them and all of a sudden they realized and FOUND WHAT GOD WANTED THEM TO DO!
-They realized that God the Spirit moved over the earth and into their lives.
-They realized that they now had gifts and talents to put their faith into practice and build the Church.
-They realized that life now had purpose and meaning only in light of eternity and salvation
BUT That “Eureka” momentalso came only when they opened their hearts up to the power and movement of God through the Spirit.
To bring this Pentecost down to our everyday level…how many times God’s spirit has opened out eyesand hearts to his will and power.
Think for a moment those moments when really God’s spirit was working in your life. JUST LOOK BACK AND SEE YOU WERE NOT ALONE!! : THAT WAS THE HOLY SPIRIT
-The moment when you knew that was the right man or woman to marry and it not a coincidence that you met but God’s plan.—THAT WAS THE HOLY SPIRIT
-The moment when you knew that this was the right job, career, vocation to pursue.- THAT WAS THE HOLY SPIRIT
-The moment at the birth of your child that this was a miracle and sign of God’s love in your life- THAT WAS THE HOLY SPIRIT
-The moment when even in the darkest times of pain, crisis, trauma that you needed God and turned to him with full conversion of life.- THAT WAS THE HOLY SPIRIT
--The moment when the addicted person hit the bottom but reached out to that first step and surrendered to that higher power- THAT WAS THE HOLY SPIRIT
-The moment when you had to face insurmountable obstacles, bravery, decisions and wondered ,”How can I ever do this?”..but you did with God’s help and Spirit.- THAT WAS THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD HIMSELF…LEADING US TO NEW AND SURPRISING PATHS IN LIFE.
FOR EXAMPLE:
It was 1947 and India just declared independence. A young sister by the name of Theresa was teaching in girls school and there was a shortage of food. How to feed the 300 girls? She went out from convent and into the streets to find food but there something powerful happened. She witnessed the deaths hundreds and hundreds of poor lying in the streets. She went in search of help but there was no hospital.
It was then that the TURNING POINT of her life happened. She knew what she was called to do. She rented a small room, asked for volunteers and from there was born Mother Theresa’s order of Sisters of Charity that now number in the thousands all over the world.
Her “Eureka” moment was when God’s Spirit changed her life and affected the lives of countless others abandoned or dying on the streets.
In all of this, Pentecost is not just an event of 2000 years ago but an ongoing power that can change the our life if we let God’s spirit in.
A remarkable sight happened 2 years ago on all places on Copocabana Beach in Rio de Janiero, Brazil when Pope Francis celebrated the Mass for world youth day. Because of the rain the soccer field could not be used for the Mass but the beach could. 3 million youths converged on the beach and as far as one could see and all were praying and singing and listening to Pope Francis.
The spirit of God transformed not just the place known for parties but the lives of those individuals and with the potential of those 3 million youths going back home not only changed personally but spreading that message to others. Hopefully, those three million youths had that “A-Ha” moment and were inspired by the Holy Spirit
Again a new Pentecost, whereGod’s Spirit is one of surprises and joy.
The Pentecost, may you and your families all have that “Eureka” moment filled with and touched by God’s Spirit and love and power AND MAY THE SPIRIT GUIDE EACH OF YOU ON PATHS OF HOPE, FAITH AND WISDOM.