Homily: Pentecost YR C
and Memorial Day
“Let the Spirit Stir Within You Again”
By Fr. William Holtzinger
May 30, 2004

Happy birthday! As the Church celebrates her birthday, it is critical to understand what that event did for the new budding community of believers and what it means for us today. On that greatly anticipated day the gathered Apostles were suddenly overcome by what appeared to be “tongues as of fire” (Acts 2:3). From that moment on, they would no longer be driven by doubts and fears. Their new zeal and faith would drive all their actions and decisions in their lives, and the world would never be the same.

Well, through our baptism and confirmation, the fullness of the Holy Spirit was poured into us. Yet, for many of us, that Spirit has been more a theological term than a living reality in our lives. God can become very active in our lives, but we need to let him in. If we have struggled with a lack of passion in our faith, the Spirit is the one who can solve our issue. It may well be that this same Spirit has waiting to be reinvigorated in places where our faith has become stale or lukewarm. But, we just haven’t been direct enough about it.

When you review your day and God is not frequently invited or acknowledged, when your will and not God’s will dominates your decisions, when reading the Scriptures is either absent or dry, when attending Mass is more about fulfilling your “obligation” rather than filling your heart, if your simply struggle in faith or need extra grace and encouragement, then Pentecost can be just what you need.

After this Mass as well as all the Masses this weekend, those who wish to be more proactive and direct about a renewal of the Spirit in their lives are invited to stick around after each Mass and join us in prayer. Even if you simply need a spiritual shot in the arm, I invite you, after our liturgy, to come to the front of the church today to ask the Spirit to be stirred once again in your heart. If today is not your day, if this time is not your time, you can still invite the Spirit to enkindle your faith while at home or in the car or while on a walk. Just spend some time to be quiet, empty yourself before God, and directly ask the Holy Spirit to stir your heart. The gifts that you already have been given may not be fully appreciated because somehow you are in the way or you have never recognized them. It’s a matter of simply getting out of the way and giving the steering wheel to God.

May the Holy Spirit which was poured into your life at baptism warm your heart and excite your faith. Maranatha! Come Holy Spirit!