Christians, especially Catholics have been called upon to use their different gifts from the Holy Spirit to make the world better, enhance the general good of the Church and spread the Good News of the Gospel. The call was made by the Catholic Bishop of Abuja Archdiocese, Most Rev. Ignatius Ayau Kaigama, in his homily at the celebration of the Mass for this year’s Pentecost Sunday, held at the Church of Assumption, Abuja.
Archbishop Kaigama, who used the readings of the day to accentuate the invaluable role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church, the faithful and humanity in general, noted that: “The Holy Spirit is the source of our unity in diversity.” He therefore called on the faithful to “cultivate an attitude of togetherness in the spirit of Pentecost”. He added that the event reminds humanity on the equality of all creatures of God and we should not look down on anybody.
Speaking on the impact of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church and the people, the local ordinary of Abuja noted that “the Spirit, which dwells in the Church and in the hearts of the faithful as in a temple should move us to unity, communal living, harmony and service.”
Archbishop Kaigama described the Pentecost as the birthday of the Church, adding that “Christ did not leave us orphans and without a guide. He gave us the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, the Spirit of Righteousness, the Paraclete, the Comforter, the Helper, the Counselor, the Advocate, the Mentor, the Director, the Teacher and the Leader”.
The Archbishop noted that the miracle of speaking in tongues by the Apostles on Pentecost day reverses the division of Babel, described in Genesis 11:1-9; and “transforms confusion into communion creating one family (the Church), speaking a language which all men can understand, the language of love, the language of the heart.” He added that Language and culture should not be barrier to the Gospel or to our individual and collective happiness and human progress”.
(SOURCE: CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE OF NIGERIA)
