One of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit is wisdom. Wisdom is seeing reality, ourselves, seeing others, seeing our current circumstances or situations as God sees them.
Our perception or how we see things is not always the correct perception of “true” reality… and it is important to have accurate perception because accuracy of perception leads to accuracy of response.
Let me share with you these two stories you might be familiar with and which I have shared before also but it is worth sharing again to illustrate the point - and for those who have not heard them just in case.
A man walking through the forest saw a fox that had lost its front legs for some reason and the man wondered how the fox managed to survive. Then he saw a tiger come in with game in its mouth. The tiger ate its fill and left the rest of the meat for the fox.
The next day God fed the fox by means of the same tiger. So, the man began to wonder at God's greatness and said to himself, "I too shall just rest in the
corner with full trust in the Lord and He will provide me with all I need."
He did this for many days but nothing happened, and he was dying, almost at death's door – so speak - dying - when he heard a voice say, "O you, who are in the path of error, open your eyes to the truth! Follow the example of the tiger and stop imitating the disabled fox.”
How we see ourselves – how we see reality - what we believe or think what life is all about - makes a whole world of difference… and so it is important to see reality as God sees them… the true reality… the Truth…
That is why we need to constantly discern God’s will for our lives… what we are called to be - and do… by listening to the Holy Spirit within us – by living a life of prayer, by our obedience to Jesus teachings, and faithfulness to the sacraments of the Church.
Today is Pentecost Sunday, Feast of the Holy Spirit – Who guides us to all truth, Who reminds us of who we are - Beloved Sons and Daughters of God, brothers and sisters of Christ, therefore, co-heirs to the Kingdom of God… We are the Body of Christ; we are His Church; we are the temples of the Holy Spirit. That is what and who we are.
Here's the other story:
There was this eagle’s egg that somehow ended up in a chicken farm. The chickens knew that they must protect and care for the eagle’s egg, so an old hen volunteered to nurture and raise the large egg.
One day, the egg hatched and a beautiful eagle was born. Sadly, however, the eagle was raised to be a chicken. Soon, the eagle believed he was nothing more than a chicken. The eagle loved his home and family, but his spirit cried out for more. While playing on the farm one day, the eagle looked to the skies above and noticed a group of mighty eagles soaring in the skies. "Oh," the eagle cried, "I wish I could soar like those birds."
The chickens roared with laughter, "You cannot soar with those birds. You are a chicken and chickens do not soar." That is what the eagle learned to believe. The eagle, after time, stopped dreaming and continued to live the rest of his life like a chicken.
The moral of the story: You become - what you believe you are… you become what you think you are.
Again, perception is not always reality because at times we are so blinded by our own pre-conceived prejudiced erroneous ideas or concepts. Wisdom is also to realize that to learn is also to unlearn our erroneous ideas and false concepts.
A fish asked her mother: “Mom, where is this ocean everyone is talking about? The mom said: “You silly child, you are in it!?
So - Where is God - everyone is searching for? We are IN God… like the fish in the water. God is not out there. God is even closer to us than the air we breathe.
Pentecost is not the commemoration of a historical event. Pentecost is the affirmation of the living reality of God in our lives… the presence of God’s Spirit within us.
A little girl was asked: “Is God big or small?” She replied: “God is so big that the entire universe cannot contain Him… but He is so small that He lives in my heart…” See - The little girl got it! … the Truth.
We have heard and have been taught and have spoken many times about this subject of the same Holy Spirit that filled St. Peter and the other apostles on first Pentecost Sunday is the same Holy Spirit poured unto us at our baptism… heard so often - that we no longer feel the impact of its meaning. But - think for a moment - what an awesome thing it is to say, “The eternal God lives in me.”
So - Please say with me: “The eternal God lives in me.” (Repeat) It think it will do us good to keep repeating this phrase to ourselves… and to continue to reflect on this reality… It will be great to remind ourselves of this everyday….
… May be – say the phrase at the beginning of each day… Because this is a life-changing realization, life-changing awareness - if we truly accept it and truly believe it…. “The eternal God lives in me.”
It is an incredible thought, but it is the unmistakable message of Pentecost.
Gifts come with a mission. The Spirit of Jesus has been given to us not just for ourselves but for a world that longs for love, that longs for meaning in life.
There are people out there – starting with our own family members - longing for an experience of God, longing for the Spirit of Jesus, the Holy Spirit. They are seeking people who know God… who know not just about Jesus... but who know Jesus - and who walk in His way.
They are looking for people who not only know about justice and compassion but they are looking for people who are just and compassionate.
We have the Spirit of Christ within us.
The great work that began on Pentecost Sunday continues through us.
Today and every day is Pentecost…just as every day is Advent – we live constantly in joyful hope for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; just as every day is Christmas Day – and the Word of God becoming flesh – in us every day; just as everyday day is Lent – because we need to have this ongoing conversion of hearts - dying to old self and constantly renewing our covenant with God….
Just as every day is Easter – Resurrected Christ living in us… We are Easter people… Alleluia is our song and we live in peace and joy regardless of the circumstances we find ourselves in – sharing in God’s divine life.
Today and every day is Pentecost. The Holy Spirit is NO less present today with us – within us – as He was with the Apostles on that first Pentecost.
Remember that the Holy Spirit is IN US. He will reveal his wisdom to you and me little bit at a time, allowing us to grow into holiness at just the right pace.
And so – we pray: “Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your people and enkindle in us the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and we shall be created and you shall renew the face of the earth, THROUGH US!!
AMEN.
