Exiit qui seminat

Pentecost will always have a special place in my heart as a priest. 19 years ago, I celebrated my first Mass on Pentecost Sunday (May 29, 2004). For me, Pentecost is more than just a moment of nostalgia, remembering all of the wonderful memories with family and friends. Pentecost has not only been a reminder of the need to be close to the Holy Spirit, but also a mandate to continually use the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit as a part of my priesthood and everyday life. The reality is that Pentecost should be an important to each and every one of us because the Holy Spirit is meant to be a part of all of our lives. The really awesome part of all of this is that the gifts that God gives us is truly unique to us. As St. Paul reminds us in his first letter to the Christian community in Corinth, "There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone" (I Cor 12:4-6). Just as I give thanks for my own unique participation in the one, true and eternal priesthood of Jesus Christ, all of us are special and unrepeatable expressions of His love. All of us have a special role in building up the kingdom of God that is ours and ours alone.  What might our giftedness be? Do we recognize how God has set each and every one of us apart for a unique purpose in His plan of salvation? And most importantly, do we recognize how the diversity of our call is brought together as unity and oneness in the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church? So as we bring the Easter season to a close, give thanks for who the Lord has made us to be and celebrate today the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our lives! Let the Holy Spirit set our hearts and the world on ablaze with the fire of His divine love!

Fr. Rob Sinatra