May 28, 2023

Fr. Pat’s Sermon Notes

The Feast of Pentecost 

The Holy Spirit: God’s Answer to Our Fears!

For most people, F-E-A-R means “Flee Everything And Run!” and for others it means “Face Everything And Rise!”  What fear means for you or for me on any given day is for each of us to decide for ourselves! So, which version fits you?  Without a doubt, Jesus Christ wants to conquer our fears and he sent the Holy Spirit to accomplish just that – and much more! 
 
Saint Paul tells us why: “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. You did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a Spirit of adoption through which we cry ‘Abba, Father’”.(Romans 8:14-15)  Without the Spirit, we will inevitably remain disciples or followers of our fears.  In such a case, when our fears say “Jump!” we will say, “How high?”   When our fears say, “Stop!” we will obediently comply!  When our fears say, “You’ll never succeed!” we will sadly agree.  The Holy Spirit is the antidote for our fears!  In fact, the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost was a game-changer; or more accurately, a life-changer!    The Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead is the primary reason that the apostles could “Face Everything And Rise!”

Today is our moment: The time to stop fleeing and start rising!   Rise from your self-pity and constant doubts!  Rise from past failures and sins and receive God’s forgiveness!  Rise from the excuses that have not allowed God to accomplish the great things in you that he has always wanted to do!  Fall to your knees and pray, then stand to your feet and praise; lift up your voice and sing; open your hearts and believe!  Believe that God has anointed you, and appointed you; blessed you and equipped you; called and gifted you to go forth and bear much fruit!  God has sent Holy Fire from heaven to ignite you and excite you so that you in turn would ignite and bring help and hope to others!  Trusting in the Divine Advocate, face everything today with confidence, and rise to the grace-filled life that Jesus died, rose, and sent the Holy Spirit for you to have!