A ‘Pentecost Church’ — our inner life of the Spirit comes from the Spirit of God

Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor.

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor

“Looking Ahead” is a reflecti0n on the Sunday readings, for Pentecost Sunday, by Father Perry.

On Easter night, Jesus appeared to the disciples.

This Easter Gospel tells us that he breathed on them and said: “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”

The gift of the Spirit of God brings forgiveness, allows forgiveness to flow — especially through a ministry of forgiveness —, and it brings healing and peace and new life.

The first reading retells the very Pentecost “event” in which the Spirit of God comes upon the disciples in a driving wind, filling the entire house, then resting upon each one as tongues of fire.

They were filled with the Spirit and began to speak in different tongues as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.

When we listen attentively to these scriptures today, we hear the wonders of the Spirit of God as forgiveness abounds, tongues are loosened, understanding and proclaiming is everywhere, and people’s hearts and souls and lives go through profound conversion.

God is present! God speaks! God touches! God moves hearts and souls!

God forgives! God invites! God loves!

We are a “Pentecost Church,” born into new life on this day in which we remember and celebrate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Our inner life of the Spirit comes from the Spirit of God.

In the words of the traditional song we sing out today: “Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in us the fire of your love, and you will renew the face of the earth.”

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Quote of the Week: “A person’s a person no matter how small.” — Dr. Seuss.

Father Perry D. Leiker is the 13th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at pleiker@stbernard-church.com. Follow Father Perry on Twitter: @MrDeano76.