THE UNIFYING SPIRIT

Fr. John ADEMOYE

Dear brothers and sisters, the hour has come, Pentecost Sunday. As we gather together to celebrate the manifestation of the Spirit in our lives, may we be nourished and refreshed spiritually with the gift of the Holy spirit to teach, guide and direct our lives into the way of Christ. Amen. Let us sing this song together; COME, COME, COME, HOLY GHOST… May the Spirit of God fill our lives, mould our families, society, country, and world. Amen.

Dear friends in Christ, as we have it in the first reading of today. The apostles were together in one place, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit [Act 2:1-4]. It says to us, they were together with one mind and heart for the same purpose. That is why the Holy Spirit manifested it power in their lives. Are we together in one accord, with the same purpose in our families, Church and world today? The Spirit of God is for oneness and harmony. However, it meant to annex all things together under Christ for one purpose.

Thus, when the apostles received the spirit, the effect of the Holy Spirit upon them was understanding, boldness, courage and comfort. Also, as fire gives life, so Holy Spirit gives new life, as fire gives light, so Holy Spirit enlightens. Therefore, the Holy Spirit will come like a breeze. And when breeze comes, you do not know where it comes from or going.

Dearly beloved in Christ, it is imperative for us to know that when we are in Spirit, it energises us and unifies us for things beyond mere physical. That is what the second reading of today puts before us. Brethren, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. If the Spirit of God really dwells in you, the Spirit of him who raised Christ from the dead, will give life to your mortal bodies [Rom 8: 1 and 6]. Friends in Christ, things of this world should not be the things that bring us together, but the things of heaven and things of the Spirit. Our personal constant and consistent devotion daily will aid us spiritually, connecting us to and with the Spirit.

On the contrary, our information does not add up to wisdom, neither our knowledge leads to good judgement. Rather when the Holy Spirit is in you, it will manifest one of the seven [7] gifts of the Spirit. Then you can cry “Abbah Father because you are Children of God, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ” [Rom 8:14-17].

In our world today, what direct us is the things of the world; money, power, position, wealth and lots more not the Spirit of God any more. Christ has said it all in today’s gospel, “if you love me, you will keep my commandment” [John 14:15].

Unfortunately, we love those things more than God. That is why the things we often do today is to love things and use people, instead of the other way round. “He that loses wealth, loses much, he that loses friends, loses more; but he that loses his spirit loses all” [Spanish Maxim].

Hence, the purpose of the Holy Spirit in our lives is to unify us to build up the body of Christ, the family, the Church, the society and the world through our gifts, talent and service to humanity. Psalm 104:29-30 says “You take back your spirit they die, you sent forth your spirit they are created and renew the face of the earth.”

Finally, dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Christ has promised us “the counsellor, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” [John14: 25-26]. And may the Spirit of God fall afresh on us and renew the face of the earth through Christ our Lord. Amen.