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Two-Minute Homily by Fr Brendan Gormley for Pentecost Sunday 2023.
“The Spirit helps us to know and love Jesus and the Father; the Spirit consoles and strengthens and forgives; the Spirit helps us to keep the commandments and guides us on the path to salvation.”

• Two-Minute Homily Transcript

  Two-Minute Homily Transcript

  Author: Archdiocese of Brisbane

  What does a Wi-Fi signal look like? And what does gravity look like? What does a sound decibel or electricity look like? We only recognise the presence of these things by their effects, by what they do. Of themselves, they are invisible, at least to the naked eye. And so it is with the Holy Spirit, which we celebrate today on the Solemnity of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit is not some shadowy mist or vague construct, but rather a real, divine Person. And the Spirit helps us to know and love Jesus and the Father; the Spirit consoles and strengthens and forgives; the Spirit helps us to keep the commandments, and guides us on the path to salvation.

  Today’s readings remind us of what happened among the first followers of Jesus as they dealt with the pain of separation from him, and fear of those who opposed and persecuted them. In the midst of this apprehension about their future, the promised gifts of the Spirit dramatically appeared and empowered them to break out from their fear and engage with the world around them. They were transformed from a group of believers gripped by doubt and fear, to a community with a mission to bring hope and the message of salvation to the world.

  Pope Francis wrote recently, “Do not be afraid to let yourself be guided by the Holy Spirit. Holiness does not make you less human, since it is an encounter between your weakness and the power of God’s grace. When all is said and done, the only tragedy in life is to not become a saint.”

  And so in our world marked by sin, Saint Paul reminds us that where sin abounds, the grace of the Holy Spirit abounds all the more. And so it is with confidence that we pray, Come, Holy Spirit, and kindle in us the fire of your love!