Homily  May 23, 2010                                                        
9:00 a. m.  Mass   Pentecost
Rev. Gregory Sakowicz                                                                                        
Cycle "C" 

(Closing Religious Education Liturgy)

             Evangelist Billy Graham tells of a time during the early years of his preaching ministry when he was due to lead a crusade meeting in a town in South Carolina, and he needed  to mail a letter.  He asked a little boy in the main street how he could get to the post office.  The boy gave him directions.  Billy said, "If you come to the Central Baptist Church tonight, I'll tell you how to get to heaven."

The boy replied, "No thanks.  You don't even know how to get to the post office!"

Pentecost is the feast that celebrates the day in our Church's history when unity and courage triumphed over division, fear and getting lost.

Yet, today's Gospel speaks of the disciples as filled with fear and a sense of feeling lost.  The early followers of Jesus were not perfect, they had their rough edges.  Did you ever realize that when Jesus was crucified his disciples ran away afraid.

But how does the Feast of Pentecost connect with our every day lives?  The following story may help-

     There is a story about an old Cherokee Chief who is teaching his eight-year-old grandson about life.  He tells him,   "A fight is going on inside me.  It is a terrible fight, and it is between two wolves.  One is evil — he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, impatience, arrogance, self pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, an unforgiving heart, superiority, self-doubt and worry."    The other is good — he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, empathy, generosity, truth, forgiving, compassion and faith.   "This same fight is going on inside you and inside every other person, too."

The grandson thought about this for a minute, then turned to his grandfather and asked.  "Which wolf will win?"

The wise old chief turned to his grandson, smiled knowingly and replied simply,

"The one you feed."

The disciples in today's readings are really all of us.  At times we are afraid, fearful and feeling lost.  We ask the question:  "Where am I going with life?"  But the Lord comes to us as he came to his disciples and says, "Peace be with you."

Many times, no matter our age, we may ask: "God, where am I going with my life?" 

The Feast of Pentecost — the Spirit touching the disciples and all of our lives means we do not walk alone.  The Lord is with us.  For the Spirit of God will never lead us where the grace of God cannot keep us.  For the way of the Spirit and the way of the Lord are filled with 10,000 surrenders and 5,000 lettings go's.  What is in our heart—determines what we see- what we think-what is truly  important.  What  is in our heart determines what path we choose to walk in life.  Fr. James Keller, founder of the Christophers makes these wonderful points:

1.   Depend more on God, less on self.

2.   Share the truth, don't hoard it.

3.   Be world-minded, not local minded.

4.   Go among people, don't avoid them.

5.   Push on, don't stand still.

6.   Aim to serve, not to be served.

7.   Be gentle, don't hurt.

8.   Submit ideas, don't impose them.

9.   Better to be optimistic than  pessimistic.

10.   Cheer, don't depress.

Jesus loves us just the way we are.  And the Lord Jesus loves us too much to leave us that way.