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MAY 15, 2016 – PENTECOST SUNDAYGn 11:1-9; Ps 104:1-2, 24, 35, 27-28, 29, 30; Rom 8:22-27; Jn 7:37-39

Acts 2:1-11; Ps 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34; 1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13; Jn 20:19-23

Happy Pentecost Sunday! Every year we celebrate Pentecost fifty days after Easter Sunday.  We learn of Pentecost from the Acts of the Apostles 2: 1-31: "When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together.  And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind.  Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim."  This is why we call Pentecost Sunday the 'Birthday of the Church.'  On this day, Jesus filled His Apostles and others with the Holy Spirit so that they would spread the Spirit of God everywhere. While it can seem like we only talk about Jesus Christ and not God or the Holy Spirit, the truth is the Bible talks about God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit in an equal, perfect way.  Jesus says (John 10: 30), "The Father and I are one."  Jesus also says (Matthew 10: 20), "For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."  In other words, when Jesus speaks, it is like the Father and the Holy Spirit speaking through Jesus.  In God, there is no competition or domination.  On Pentecost, when we talk about the Holy Spirit coming down, it is God Himself coming down on us all--Father, Son and Spirit.  When you feel like praying, when your heart is moved to do good, when you are inspired to help others, when you have a gut feeling about something, it is the Spirit of God that moves you: it is the Father, Son and Spirit talking together, working together, acting together to take care of us.

Happy Feast of Our Lady of Fatima!  Every year on May13th we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima.  Between May 13 and October 13 in the year 1917, three Portuguese children received apparitions of our Lady.  Mary asked these children that they pray the Rosary for the end of war and conflict

and the conversion of those who hardened their hearts.  If you travel to Fatima (Portugal), Lourdes (France), Our Lady of Guadalupe (Mexico City) or

Our Lady of Good Health (India), it is the same Mary, the same person, the same Mother of Jesus. However, her appearance and message is unique to each site as she wanted to identify with the people of each place.  It is Mary's way of telling us that she is a Mother for all; She has concern, respect and love for all.  Yes, Mary has compassion for the whole world and she is capable of offering a unique message to a particular city, nation, or ethnic group of people in need.  The request Mary made to the Portuguese children is the request She makes to all of us:  Pray the Rosary and pray for those who have hardened their hearts. This year, as we celebrated the Feast of our Lady of Fatima, we welcomed Archbishop Bernard Hebda who was installed as our ninth Archbishop on May 13th, 2016 !

Last Few Days of School! Soon, the academic year will come to an end.  We hope our school teachers take this God-given responsibility entrusted to them seriously and can say both privately and publicly, 'I have given my best to the children I taught.'  So too, hopefully, the students can say, 'I have done my best to learn and have not looked for shortcuts.'  As Mother Teresa said, 'True love hurts.' When we want to do the right thing, we might make the people we love uncomfortable.  As a teacher, one may challenge a student to do homework or confront a student who creates conflict.  Pointing out one's error out of love may not always be well received and that is why we say, 'True love hurts.'  As we want our students to be

well prepared , we need to challenge them, even if it hurts, so that they will be the best they can be.  Now is a great time for our teachers to re-commit themselves to teach whole-heartedly, and students to to aim high, not just get passing grades.  All of us have an obligation to support education in every way possible. Through education we are able to read the Bible.  As a Chinese proverb says, 'A child is like a piece of paper on which every passerby leaves a mark.' Good-education leaves a good impression on the lives of our children.

Not Hard to understand, God is Alive and Well! Living in Minnesota we witness rain, sunshine and sometimes rain and shine simultaneously. It warms up and then it is cold again; it can snow in the morning and rain in the afternoon.  Who can explain this mystery?  It is nothing but the act of God. Of course, such drastic changes of weather can be better explained by science. However, God has designed creation in such a way that everything works as it is suppose to.  God is the cause of all that causes rain or sunshine.  Those who say, 'There is no God,' or those who call themselves agnostics or atheists, simply need to sit on their couch and peak through the window and see all the amazing things that happen in nature and they will be convinced that 'God is Alive and well.'

Friendship and Fraternity!  There is a saying, 'A true friend is one who doubles your joy and halves your grief.'  All of us need friends. The word friend is very Biblical.  Jesus says (John 15: 15), "I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing."  David and Jonathan's friendship was very profound (1 Samuel 18: 1),"...he (Jonathan) loved him as his very self."  As a result of their friendship, Jonathan was able to save David as his mad father, Saul, was seeking to kill David out of jealously.  Anything that is good must be shared. No matter how exclusive one's friendship is, it can’t be kept between two people. It has to go out to get fresh air/oxygen by inviting others into that circle. As exclusive as spousal love might be, that love has to go boyond the couple.  The health of a friendship can be evaluated by the way it brings joy to many, by the way it invites others into that circle.  Ask yourself, who are your friends and do you keep that friendship just to yourself, or, do you let others benefit from it as well?

Happy Feast of St. Isidore the Farmer (1070-1130)!  Every year on May 15th we celebrate the

Feast of St. Isidore.  He is the Patron Saint of all the farmers and rural life. He married Maria de la Cabeza (who also became a Saint).  He got up early in the morning to go to Church. This irritated some of his fellow workers at the field because he spent long hours in

the Church praying and showed up late for work.  It is said he was praying all day long as he plowed the field.  He had great concern for the poor and for the poor treatment of animals.  What can we learn from a simple farmer elevated to Sainthood?  As Mother Teresa of Calcutta would say, 'Holiness is not a privilege of a few people, it is the basic duty of everyone.'  In other words, all are capable of becoming a saint if they choose to.   

Sunday Reflection! The Gospel for Pentecost Sunday Vigil is from John 7 in which Jesus says, 'Let anyone who thirsts come to me and drink.  As Scripture says:  Rivers of living water will flow from within him who believes in me.'  He said this in reference to the Spirit that those who came to believe in him were to receive.  There was, of course, no Spirit yet because Jesus had not yet been glorified.  These words reflect the inter-connectedness, the intimate relationship that exists between the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Do you realize, that if the three powerful persons of the Trinity, who are Almighty, All-Powerful, and All-Sufficient, exist in harmony...that we, who are merely human, vulnerable and dependant, also need each other so much?  Why do we human beings act as lone rangers at times, as if we do not need others in our lives?

"We may give without loving, but we cannot love without giving."

Bernard Meltzer

In Christ Jesus,

Fr. Thomas Joseph

One Flock, One Shepherd - Parish Mission at GA in Chaska will focus on: Forgiveness, Letting Go and Healing. Be inspired to go forth and share the Year of Mercy with others. All are welcome! Hospitality will be offered. May 15 – 18, from 7 – 8:30 PM.The Chaska/Carver Knights of Columbus council 9141 will have their officer meeting here on Monday, May 16. If you have been wondering what the Knights of Columbus are all about or are interested in joining them, please contact Dan Lawrence, Grand Knight of Chaska/Carver council 9141 at 952-843-3963.