As the Easter Season culminates with the Great Feast of Pentecost, we celebrate the Holy Spirit descending upon Mary and the apostles. We think of Pentecost as the birthday of the Church; this is when the Holy Spirit inspired the beginning of the public ministry of the Church.
As we hear the readings and all the acts of the apostles, we can picture the biblical figures very easily. We’ve seen pictures, paintings, and statues since we were little children. Peter, James, John, Paul, we can almost hear them speak. We all know these are the pillars in the Church, but it’s easy to forget that we have the same call in our lives. We are called to be saints - to be pillars of the Church that provide sanctuary to the poor, hungry, homeless, and naked. We are called to heal the sick. We are called to care for those who need it. We are called to forgive those who have sinned against God and against their neighbors, against us.
We are called to that beatific vision - the ultimate and direct encounter with God in Heaven, where the blessed behold and enjoy the divine essence. It is the highest and most perfect form of knowledge and communion with God, surpassing all earthly experiences and comprehension.
We are called to love others like Jesus loves us.
Let this Pentecost be a kind of birthday for us spiritually. Let us go into the world as a witness to Christ’s divine love, proclaiming Christ crucified as we perform corporal and spiritual acts of mercy.
Corporal Acts of Mercy:
1. Feeding the hungry
2. Giving drink to the thirsty
3. Clothing the naked
4. Sheltering the homeless
5. Visiting the sick
6. Visiting the imprisoned
7. Burying the dead
These acts of mercy focus on meeting the physical needs of others, providing basic necessities, and offering comfort and support to those who are suffering or marginalized.
Spiritual Acts of Mercy:
1. Instructing the ignorant
2. Counseling the doubtful
3. Admonishing the sinner
4. Bearing wrongs patiently
5. Forgiving offenses willingly
6. Comforting the afflicted
7. Praying for the living and the dead
The spiritual acts of mercy are concerned with the spiritual well-being and growth of individuals. They involve offering guidance, support, and encouragement to others in their faith journey, as well as extending forgiveness and interceding for others in prayer.
These acts of mercy are rooted in the teachings of Jesus and can be found in various biblical passages, such as Matthew 25:35-36, where Jesus says, "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me."
Practicing the corporal and spiritual acts of mercy is an essential aspect of living out the Christian faith and imitating the love and compassion of Christ. By engaging in these acts, believers demonstrate their commitment to serving others and participating in the mission of the Church to bring God's love and mercy to all people.
There is also a plenary indulgence associated with the feast of Pentecost. If one goes to confession, partakes in the Eucharist, prays for the intentions of the Holy Father, and sings or recites an ancient hymn Veni Creator, one can gain a plenary indulgence. An Indulgence takes purgatory away - that time of purification before one sees Heaven.
I will be singing it on Sunday at St. Mary of the Assumption after the 10:30 AM Mass. If you’d like to stick around for five more minutes, I’ll be singing it and will have handouts for anyone who wants to read along, you can also join the live stream to participate. There are seven verses, in Latin, but if you “participate” in the hymn by hearing it and reading along with the English translation, that counts!
John Wright
Director of Worship