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FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK……
PENTECOST SUNDAY, MAY 30TH, 2004
Dear Fellow Parishioners,
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Pentecost and with it bring to a close the Easter Season --- although we have learned these past seven weeks that Easter never really ends for the true Christian. We know that the Easter mystery of dying to selfishness and sin so that we can rise to a new life no longer centered in self, but rather in the Lord and directed outward to others in generous giving of ourselves and all that we have in loving service is meant to be a daily experience. Today as we celebrate Pentecost, we acknowledge the fact that it is the Holy Spirit that makes this possible. Today we celebrate our birthday as the Church. For the next couple of weeks, I would like to share with you some sections from a pastoral letter entitled "AS I HAVE DONE FOR YOU" that was written by our Cardinal Archbishop, Roger Mahony, April 20, 2000. I believe you'll be inspired by what we'll find in this important document.
All of us are called to ministry through our Baptism. In Baptism we receive the Holy Spirit and along with the Holy Spirit an abundance of gifts. About this important fact, the Cardinal says: "ROOTED IN THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT GIVEN IN BAPTISM, MINISTRY BOTH ORDAINED AND NONORDAINED, IS A SHARE IN THE ANOINTING OF CHRIST AS PROPHET, PRIEST, AND KING IN THE WATERS OF THE JORDAN (MATTHEW 3: 13-17; MARK 1: 9-11; LUKE 3: 21-22; JOHN 1: 20-34). BAPTIZED AT THE HANDS OF JOHN THE BAPTIST, JESUS THE CHRIST IS IMPELLED BY THE SPIRIT INTO THE WILDERNESS TO BE A WITNESS TO THE GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER. HIS WHOLE LIFE WAS GIVEN TO WORSHIP THE FATHER THROUGH THE SERVICE OF SELF-SACRIFICIAL LOVE." (AS I HAVE DONE FOR YOU, p. 20 #50)
About ourselves as Church, the Cardinal goes on to say: "IT IS IN THE CHURCH, AT THIS TIME AND IN THIS PLACE (READ 2004 SAN MIGUEL, CALIFORNIA), THAT THE PRESENCE OF CHRIST --- THE ONE WHO WITNESSED, WORSHIPED, AND, ABOVE ALL, SERVED --- CONTINUES. AND IT IS THROUGH WITNESS, WORSHIP, AND SERVICE THAT THE CHURCH CONTINUALLY EXPRESSES AND RECEIVES ITS IDENTITY AS THE BODY OF CHRIST." (AS I HAVE DONE FOR YOU, p. 20 #53)
Finally, Cardinal Mahony challenges us by saying: "THE BAPTIZED ARE CALLED TO SHARE IN THE CHURCH'S MISSION THROUGH MUTUAL SERVICE, THROUGH A LIFE OF WORSHIP, AND THROUGH WITNESS TO THE GOSPEL BY HOLINESS OF LIFE. THESE ARE THE HALLMARKS OF CHRISTIAN LIVING. THE MANNER AND DEGREE OF ENGAGEMENT IN THIS COMMON CALL DIFFER, DEPENDING ON THE GIFTS AND MINISTRIES GIVEN BY THE SPIRIT." (AS I HAVE DONE FOR YOU, pp. 20-21 #54) Something to think about and chew on this Pentecost Sunday 2004.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Raymond J. Tintle, OFM
Pastor
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