On this day, we remember and celebrate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit
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Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor.
By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor
“A person’s a person no matter how small.” — Dr. Seuss.
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, 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, 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 on 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.”
Father Perry D. Leiker is the 14th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at perry.leiker@gmail.com. Follow Father Perry on Twitter: @MrDeano76.
