UNITY IN DIVERSITY, THE PENTECOST EXPERIENCE (Acts 2:1-11, 1 Corinthians 12:3-7,12-13, John 20:19-23).

HOMILY FOR PENTECOST SUNDAY YR A BY REV FR EKESHIRI JUDE EMEKA CSSP.

THEME: UNITY IN DIVERSITY, THE PENTECOST EXPERIENCE (Acts 2:1-11, 1 Corinthians 12:3-7,12-13, John 20:19-23).

The human society is structured on the ground of diversity. Diversity in this sense does not imply negativity, that is, as a process of a chaotic-formula but through the main-stream process of Unity in diversity and growth.

More importantly, the Pentecostal experience is an experience of power. It is an experience of transformation. It is an experience of Unity. This experience can only be made possible through the influx of the Holy Spirit whom the Father had sent to complete the work of the Son Jesus Christ.

The Spirit unites all things and put us all into a common understanding of faith in Jesus. When we consider the gifts and fruits of the spirit, it is obvious that, God wants us to live together in unity and harmony so that we can have a taste of the beatific vision, that is, heaven on earth.

The first reading of today offers us an account of the influx of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the first witnesses of the good news. While the people where gathered in a room for their usual meetings, the Spirit of God came down on them like a tongue of fire on their heads and they were filled with the Holy spirit and power which made them to speak in different languages but with a common understanding in each others language.

Furthermore, the second reading reminds us that faith in Jesus is made possible through the action of the Spirit and that the Holy Spirit unites us despite the diversity in the human world. It says, “there is a variety of gifts but always the same Spirit; there are all sorts of service to be done, but always to the same Lord; working in all sorts of different ways in different people, it is the same God who is working in all of them. The particular way in which the Spirit is given to each person is for a good purpose” (1 Corinthians 12:3-7,12-13).

Then, In the gospel, Jesus gave His apostles the power and authority to forgive sins after giving them the Holy Spirit by breathing on them. The power to forgive sins comes from Christ only, represented by the priest of God. Jesus welcomes us to this wonderful sacrament of restoration and reconciliation always.

There is power in unity and unity brings progress. Very often our human society is not submissive to the spirit flow of this special gift of grace. Thus, it prefers selfish and individualistic patterns of living in our relationship with one another. Admittedly, this was why Jesus prayed for His disciples in the gospel of John 17, that they may be one just as He Himself and the Father are one.

Therefore, Let us embrace unity and peace among ourselves as followers of Christ and avoid anything that will bring disunity among us and others. Let us not be specialist in disunity by spreading lies and rumours against one another. We should be agents of peace and unity.

Dear friends in Christ, the Spirit of God is a Spirit of love, peace and unity. Are you a person of peace? What have you to show that you a Christian? You need to pray for the Spirit of God to make you a person of peace wherever you find yourself. In your home, in your office place, in the marketplace, in your school etc. Make yourself available for the Spirit of God and experience peace and joy. Peace be with you.