Homily – Pentecost Sunday (A)

The church originated from Jesus’ crucifixion when blood and water poured out from the side of Christ.  Standing at the foot of the cross were Mary, his mother, and the beloved disciple, representing his church.  The water poured forth from Christ’s body is symbolic of the church receiving baptism in Christ, united by the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

Pentecost marks 50 days after Easter, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples, sending them on a mission to continue carrying Jesus’s salvific work until the end of time.  These events are narrated in the first reading of the Acts of the Apostles, with those gathered witnessing a “powerful wind from heaven,” filling all those assembled with the Holy Spirit and the gift of speech in foreign languages.  Very quickly, it becomes quite noticeable that the mission of the church involves an extremely diverse bunch!

St Paul in the second reading affirms this diversity recognising we are all baptised in the one spirit and from the one body of Christ, made up of many different parts, all for a good purpose.  All of us possess our own unique God-given talents with the purpose to continue on the mission of Christ in this world.  Yet, each member’s strengths point to limitations when existing in isolation from each other.  Therefore, the church is further strengthened by its diversity of members working together in unity.

After his election, Pope Leo XIV in his first homily called for unity expressing a “united Church, a sign of unity and communion.”  Inspired by the works of St Augustine, Pope Leo XIV’s motto for his papacy is “In illo uno unum” meaning “In the one Christ we are one,” suggesting that unity will be a major focus of his papacy and that we as a church must be united as one in Christ. 

Today on the Solemnity of Pentecost, we are celebrating our parish’s feast day.  Our parish has a rich history with each of our five churches offering a diverse range of cultures, backgrounds, talents and strengths but always in the one Christ.  The circumstances of the modern world with greater mobility, calls us to work in unity with Jesus and in communion with the universal church in covering our local areas of Balwyn, Camberwell, Deepdene, Surrey Hills and Wattle Park.  

Together with our variety of gifts as a united parish in the one church of Christ, let us undertake our co-mission with Jesus in fulfilling his great commission to go out and preach the Gospel to all. 

By Fr Ian Vergel