Category:Lecture/Sermon

The disciples received manifestations of the holy spirit. Pentecost as Easter has a Jewish background. Jews were celebrating Moses coming down with the ten commandments. The law of charity and of love written in our hearts by the holy spirit happened at Pentecost. Advocate is a word we hear today. Paraclete in Greek, meaning more as advisor or helper. Jesus is the first paraclete, holy spirit is the consistent paraclete given to us to guide us. The holy spirit is inside us. God is a friend and comforter. The catholic church is unique because of the tabernacle. We are the table of the holy spirit bringing God to us. We are invited to keep well the holy spirit. We keep the table pure and clear through confession. We ask the holy spirit to be poured upon us at Pentecost, we pray, amen.

Good morning everyone, thank you for praying in celebration of my twenty-five years of priesthood, but I live with priests that have served more. But whatever it is is a gift to serve the holy trinity. It is not a puzzle to solve but a mystery to enter, a mystery of love. The father loves the son and vice versa and the holy spirit transcends love for all. The love is eternal, before time. Pope Leo focuses on community and unity, who we are is the focus. The son entered human history to redeem us. The holy spirit guides us. But never divided, the trinity guides us. We are all brothers and sisters but not twins according to Cardinal Sean. We are one body in christ. The defining mark of the trinity is love and should be the sign of all Christians.

I welcome you as we celebrate Corpus Christi. The gospel is well known. People followed Christ. Only men were counted, then more than five thousand. He fed them with what the disciples had. What do we do about wrongs in the world? You give them food yourselves is what Jesus said. Sometimes we talk ourselves down without believing we can make changes. How am I contributing to change? This gospel teaches the disciples, never underestimate what God can do through you. We are all lifted, God has made us all perfect as we are. God needs you and I. Today is the celebration of the eucharist. What does the eucharist do for me? The disciples were gathered to share a meal on the last supper. I hope you use a dining table and ask about each other. We look beyond ourselves. You cannot know what is happening unless you ask.…

I welcome you to the solemnity of Peter and Paul. Peter and Paul are outstanding figures in Christianity. Peter raised his hand and said you are the christ, who made Peter the leader of the church--the first pope. In spite of the differences of Peter and Paul, Jesus made them holy because they had a special mission that was to spread the word of Jesus: the power of grace, to be good news of holiness. Paul was a learned pharisees. Peter was a fisherman. Peter was saying that gentiles had to follow messianic law. Paul said no, acceptance of Jesus is the hallmark of entering the church. Peter was fearful and impulsive; he denied Jesus. Peter ran from his responsibilities and encountered Jesus, who gave him courage to back to Rome where he was executed. Saul saw Jesus on his way to prosecute Christians and became Paul. The church celebrate…