May 19, 2013 –– Pentecost Sunday
Acts 2: 1-11; Ps 104: 1, 24, 29-31, 34; 1 Cor 12: 3B-7, 12-13; Jn 20:19-23
The readings for this Pentecost Sunday abound with stewardship messages and imagery. In a brief deliberation it is impossible to mention all, let alone expound upon them. Nevertheless, the second reading from 1 Corinthians includes two phrases that absolutely capture the quintessence of stewardship.
St. Paul asserts: “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit.” This is tantamount to the oft-quoted declaration, “Everything we are and everything we have comes from God.” All of the readings on Pentecost emphasize the Holy Spirit — also known as Holy Ghost, Paraclete, Advocate, Counselor, Comforter, and Helper — and how this Spirit pervades our lives and imbues us with all that is holy.
St. Paul adds: “To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.” Benefit to whom? Certainly, it is a benefit to us as individuals, so that we can use those gifts to help God and assist others. That is stewardship — using the gifts we have received to build the Kingdom of God and to serve and comfort others.
Our challenge is to identify those gifts; channel those gifts in ways they can be shared; and, develop those gifts so they enrich all of those around us.
