OFFICE FOR SOCIAL MINISTRY
“The Holy Spirit is the divine force that changes the world … The Spirit does not only change hearts; he changes situations. Like the wind that blows everywhere, he penetrates to the most unimaginable situations.” (From Pope Francis’ homily for Pentecost 2018)
Just as the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles on that first Pentecost and breathed new life in them, Pope Francis inspires us to receive that same Spirit today to make changes in our world. Our Holy Father’s sermon on Pentecost Sunday describes how the Holy Spirit’s powerful spark can not only change our hearts but also the toughest situations we face.
The words Pentecost and Holy Spirit evoke vivid images and amazing sounds — tongues of fire and people talking in multiple languages. Here in Hawaii, Kilauea’s eruption gives us powerful images of flaming fountains bursting into the air like giant tongues of fire. And on Pentecost Sunday, in many parishes around the diocese, hundreds of people of various ethnicities who speak a multitude of languages celebrated the sacrament of Confirmation.
At the Ohana Mass on Pentecost at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Honolulu were confirmed folks of all ages who communicated in Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Chuukese, Hawaiian, English, plus American Sign Language, and even Braille. Many were touched by the sharing of the sacrament among families who had members with disabilities, who are living expressions of the Pope’s Pentecost prayer: “Holy Spirit, blow into our hearts and make us breathe forth the tenderness of the Father!”
In a moment that tugged at everybody’s heart, little Teresa, just back from a Knights of Malta pilgrimage to Lourdes and who is unable to speak, expressed her confirmation responses using a customized iPad app that pronounced her answers in a digital voice: “I do.” “Amen.” “And with your Spirit.”
Debra came up with her walker to receive the sacrament. At the touch of being anointed with holy chrism, her blind eyes filled with tears from her huge heart.
Mary Lou and her sister Florence stood side-by-side, signing their responses, as they received the sacrament of confirmation with their children Reinna and Riley. Clearly, all could see and hear the words of our Holy Father’s Pentecost homily alive in their midst.
The pope’s Pentecost homily underscored how the Holy Spirit set hearts on fire to send forth disciples to build the Kingdom of God worldwide: “Those who live by the Spirit live in this constant spiritual tension: they find themselves pulled both toward God and toward the world. Let us ask him to make us live in exactly that way. Holy Spirit, violent wind of God, blow upon us … Blow upon the church and impel her to the ends of the earth, so that, brought by you, she may bring nothing other than you.”
After the Pentecost Mass, Pope Francis spoke to the thousands of pilgrims from around the globe gathered at the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Square and named 14 new cardinals from a wide range of countries: Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Portugal, Peru, Madagascar, Japan, Mexico, Bolivia, and Italy — a diverse group of leaders to share and live the Good News of the Gospel in multiple languages for an inclusive, compassionate Catholic Church.
The pope’s Pentecost celebration this year continued the message of his recent apostolic exhortation, “Rejoice and Be Glad,” which he concluded with the following appeal: “Let us ask the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us a fervent longing to be saints for God’s greater glory, and let us encourage one another in this effort.”
In that same Spirit, Our Holy Father closed his Pentecost homily with this very inspiring prayer: “Blow upon our world the soothing warmth of peace and the refreshing cool of hope. Come Holy Spirit, change us within and renew the face of the earth.”
For the full text of Pope Francis Pentecost homily and “Rejoice and Be Glad,” see www.officeforsocialministry.org/pope-francis-homily-for-pentecost-2018.
Mahalo,
Your friends at the Office for Social Ministry
