True Conversion

Similarly to Ascension of the Lord, there is inconsistency in the Scriptures regarding the date of the feast of the Holy Spirit. Traditionally we celebrate the feast fifty days after the resurrection of Jesus. Pentecost means fifty in Greek. This date is mentioned in the Act of the Apostles in chapter two. However, according to the gospel of John, the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles on Easter Sunday, the same day Jesus raised from the dead (John 20:21-23). It is another proof the Bible is not a historical and scientific book. The Bible uses symbols, images, and stories to explain and lead us to God. Additionally, this inconsistency on the date of the feast helps us realize we cannot control or explain the mystery of the Holy Spirit. Elsewhere in his gospel John writes about it: “the Spirit blows wherever it pleases. You hear it sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going” (John 3:8). The Holy Spirit works even within us, and everywhere God desires. I was preparing for the feast of Pentecost and working on my homily a few years ago. It was Saturday evening, Eve of the feast. I was not happy when I received a sick call. I had to travel far to another village to perform the sacrament of anointing and bring Holy Communion to a dying man. I felt it interrupted my preparation, and Pentecost will not be celebrated profoundly as I wanted. I realized very soon I was totally wrong. That visit was very meaningful. The old dying man was full of pain and fear of death. He was not able to receive the entire blessed host into his mouth. I had to break it to a tiny little piece. And then, after receiving Holy Communion a miracle happened. That person started to smile and felt at peace. He could not speak but I clearly sensed he was grateful. His family who gathered around his bed, experienced spiritual joy and felt at peace as well. They started to praise God for God’s sustenance and love. I strongly felt the presence of the Holy Spirit among us in the hospital room. I was grateful for that unexpected experience of God’s Spirit on the Vigil of the feast of the Holy Spirit. It was a very meaningful Pentecost that year for me. I understood profoundly these words of the Scriptures: “the Spirit blows wherever it pleases…” Jesus Christ lived on earth two thousand years ago. It was definitely a privilege and very special time for people who Jesus met, taught, and ministered to. It was just a limited number of people Jesus was able to meet, in limited time and a relatively small part of the world. That is why Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to reach everyone and everywhere in the world. Thus, his love, grace, and all the gifts of the Holy Spirit are available to everyone who desires and is open for God. The significance and power of today’s feast is the fact God can cross the limit of time, place, and even mentality of people to spiritually touch and heal everyone God desires to do so. It is possible through the presence and work of the Holy Spirit in the world because indeed “the Spirit blows wherever it pleases…” Let’s be open to the presence and light of the Holy Spirit in our life. The Holy Spirit is close to us even when we are not aware of it. We cannot pray, make good decision, study and be healed without the influence of the Holy Spirit. We cannot be saved without the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. Let’s be grateful for today’s feast and the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the world and our life. Fr. Andrzej

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Fourth Sunday of Easter is traditionally called “Good Shepherd Sunday.” This name is determined by the gospel passage about the Good Shepherd, which we always read on this Sunday. Today we read the gospel of John. We learn the Good Shepherd loves his sheep and he knows them by name. The author of the gospel makes an important point, the Good Shepherd has a close relationship with his sheep and, contrary to a hired man, he does not run away but stays with his sheep during danger and time of trial. Additionally, the Good Shepherd searches for the lost sheep, finds it and brings it back to his fold. The first Christians knew and believed in Jesus as the Good Shepherd. In fact, the painting of the Good Shepherd is the most common of the symbolic representations of Christ found in early Christian art in the Catacombs of Rome, and was probably the most original image of Jesus Christ for the first Christian community (The painting of Christ as the Good Shepherd can be seen in the Catacombs of Priscilla on the Via Salaria in Rome). Fr. Leo John Dehon, the founder of the Priests of the Sacred Heart loved the image of the Good Shepherd as it is presented in the Gospel. When he visited the Catacombs in Rome, Fr. Dehon realized the image of the Good Shepherded represents well the truth of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Since then, Fr. Dehon often spoke and presented the Sacred Heart as the Good Shepherd in his homilies and writings. Thus, Fr. Dehon beautifully described the Sacred Heart as Father, Mother, and Shepherd in his book, The Priestly Heart of Jesus , “The Heart of Jesus is overflowing with compassion for all those who suffer; those beset by troubles, difficulties, and hardships; for the hungry, the toilers, the destitute, and the sick and infirm. His is the heart of a Father, the heart of a Mother, the heart of a Shepherd” ( The Priestly Heart of Jesus, Thirty-Three Meditations , Chicago, 1947, p. 97). Today many SCJs repeat these words of Fr. Dehon at the beginning of Mass, during the penitential rite, when they encourage people to recall the love of God in their lives, because “his is the heart of a Father, his is the heart of a Mother, his is the heart of a Shepherd.” The Good Shepherd with a sheep on his shoulders, stands for Fr. Dehon as an icon of God, who is loving, kind, and merciful. God makes an incredible effort to reach everyone but especially those who are lost, unheard, and least among us. God sent his Son to save his people (Jn 3:16). It is God, in the person of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, who loves his sheep and is ready to leave the ninety-nine to find the lost one (Lk 15:3-7). “Move out of the sacristy and go to the people” became an essential part of Fr. Dehon’s spirituality and ministry. According to his biographers, Fr. Dehon did not only write and speak about God in the image of the Good Shepherd, but in his own life he also followed the idea and example described in the Gospel. Fr. Dehon loved the people with whom he worked and ministered to. He tried to reach everyone in his community, local Church and in the missions. He practiced the availability and kindness of a Good Shepherd during his ministry, and when he was at home with his community. He was able to listen and understand them. Because of his pleasant and warm personality, Fr. Dehon was known as “Le Très Bon Père” [the very good father] (Andre Perroux, Leo Dehon: Passion for Christ: A Passion for the World , Hales corners, WI, p.71). We are encouraged by today’s gospel and the example of Fr. Dehon to see God as the Good Shepherd. God searches for our close relationship and takes care of us during trial and danger. We are encouraged to trust in God because we are safe in his fold. At the same time, we must spread and continue the mission of the Good Shepherd in our community and society. In our most recent Vision and Mission statement as St. Martin of Tours parish, “we strive to follow the example of Jesus Christ to serve those in need and to become the Good Shepherds for them.” Let’s remember to become the Good Shepherds to those in need and to each other in our parish and larger community during this Easter season. Fr. Andrzej

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