Location: Sacred Heart Catholic Church – Floresville
I am so glad to be here, with this community of Sacred Heart Parish in Floresville! Thank you all, for being here. And thank you, Fr. Kris for looking after this plot of the Lord’s vineyard.
In our second reading today, St. John the apostle encourages us to love “not in word or speech but in deed and truth.” (1 Jn). These words summarize the kind of religion to which Jesus invites us. Being a Christian is not mainly about becoming expert theologians, being exquisite in outward religious practices, or being refined in our appearance. Being a true disciple of Jesus essentially means being in close relationship with Jesus Christ, our Lord. Closeness breeds faithfulness. The closer we become to Jesus, the more we will share in his life and even his mission. As a matter of fact, the Lord ascended into heaven so that whoever believes in Him would do the works that Jesus himself does.
This is possible thanks to the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus and the Father sent us soon after the Lord’s Ascension into heaven.
The Holy Spirit continues to make Jesus present in the world in a new and powerful way. It is the Holy Spirit who makes it possible for us to encounter Jesus in our lives. Near the beginning of his pontificate, Pope Francis invited all Christians, everywhere, to renew our personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least to remain open to letting him encounter us; and to do this unfailingly each day. “I never tire”, he said, “of repeating those words of Benedict XVI which take us to the very heart of the Gospel: ‘Being a Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction’.”
What matters in the end is love. St. John teaches us that the way we know that our Lord remains in us “is from the Spirit he gave us,” (1 Jn) the Spirit of Love, the Holy Spirit. Today, I will lay my hands on you and call down the Holy Spirit upon you, the same Spirit you received in Baptism. Today, the Spirit will come into your lives in a new and powerful way. I will also anoint you with Sacred Chrism. Today, God calls you to continue the mission of his beloved Son. God will give you whatever you need to carry out your responsibilities as disciples of the risen Lord Jesus. The Holy Spirit bears witness that we are children of God, called and sent to share the good news of God’s love with everyone we meet.
“Remain in me, as I remain in you,” says Jesus. “I am the vine, you are the branches.” The Holy Spirit is like the sap. “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.” (Jn).
Do not give up on love! “Ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you!” (Jn). Place all your trust in the Holy Spirit! He will empower you with his gifts of wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. With these gifts, Jesus is ready to bear fruit through you, making you witnesses of charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control and chastity.
Let us continue to pray to Our Lady of Guadalupe, for her to help us open our hearts to the Holy Spirit. Ven, Holy Spirit, Ven!
