HOMILY PENTECOST SUNDAY 2026
JOHN’S GOSPEL’S FIRST CONCLUSION
LUKE’S CONTRASTING ACCOUNT
Jn 20.19-23 AA 2.1-11 1Cor 12.3-7,12-13
Rhyme Bible: ‘Good News’ (Lk 24, AA 1-2)
Last Thursday I talked with the Grade 6 students preparing for Confirmation next Friday. They were quite engaged, responding to questions, indicating that they had reflected well on what growth in faith and Christian commitment meant in practice for their own lives, as followers and friends of Jesus. And we talked about the gifts and the fruits of the Spirit at the centre of it all.
It’s an occasion where they also have an opportunity to choose a name, hopefully connected with a role model, preferably a saint, whom they admired, and from whose example they could learn. They’d certainly done their homework on that score, as can be seen by the artwork around OLN church. (I was reminded of the 15 year old in an earlier parish, who chose Madonna as a name!!)
So, now Easter season ends and we’re back to normal Ordinary Time, sort of! Pentecost concludes the period of Jesus’ earthly presence, but with the clear command for continuity of his mission by those who experienced a personal encounter with him, and for those who respond in faith to their proclamation of the Gospel, likewise to spread the word and to live it, not just for oneself and one’s own salvation, but for the good of the faith communities, to be built up and expanded, as the mission broadens.
At the start, there is fear, and introspection, as the disciples gather in the room, wondering what comes next, as if all is lost, with the death of Jesus. Yet, all of the Gospels are clear that he lives, and that the Cross is not the end. In fact, for John, the Cross is the focus for faith in the Risen Jesus, who draws all to himself, as his presence endures.
There has to be a starting point for the new vision, however, and this comes with the Spirit, promised by Jesus, as the means by which fear and uncertainty are to be overcome by enthusiasm and living faith, through engagement with the world in which the believers find themselves. It’s a universal message, with Luke’s Pentecost scene in Acts of the Apostles portraying the symbols of wind and fire, indicative of the divine origin of the Spirit descending, as a means of getting the show on the road, highlighting the diversity of the group gathered together, with representatives mentioned, as coming from all parts of the known world of the time.
One that stands out to me is Mesopotamia, modern day Iraq, and which I remember from Form I in 1964, as the cradle of civilization, where writing (cuneiform) and the wheel were invented, with settled communities and farming started to replace nomadic life, among other things!
And yet, the conflicts go on endlessly today, where our world is still divided, with people suspicious of, and hostile towards each other, often with no rational reason, other than that they are different in skin colour, language, culture, customs and religion, despite the fact that the common ground is identified in our DNA, proving what should be obvious, our universal humanity.
They say Luke was a medical physician of Greek background, but his writing reflects a broad outlook, with a concern for the message of Jesus to be recorded and transmitted to all who are willing to listen and respond in faith. Barriers are to be broken down, misunderstandings to be overcome, and Jesus’ fundamental law of love to be transmitted and lived in Christian communities.
And then we have Paul writing to the Corinthians, reinforcing the theme of diversity, and the benefits of using their diverse gifts to work together in living the Gospel. Our gifts, they are many and varied, but used well, all can contribute to improving the lives of others, and so themselves. This obviously translates into our lives too.
One and the same Spirit is given to all, so it’s up to those to whom it is given, to produce the 9 fruits of the Spirit, described by Paul in Ephesians, as not bananas, plums, peaches, apples, grapes and pears, but ‘love and peace, faithfulness, joy, goodness, gentleness, patience, self-control and kindness.’
Whatever one’s background or faith tradition, or stage of life, no-one can deny that these qualities are positive and fundamental to living a happy life and being a positive influence on others. Once again, the message of Jesus is simple, focussed on love, of God and neighbour, at the heart of it all. The trouble is, not enough emphasis is given to the basics, and the darker side of human nature, based on self-interest and uncontrolled instincts, can get in the way of life being lived well, according to Gospel principles.
As Brendan Byrne SJ says of today’s readings: “(Each) brings out a key feature of the early Church’s sense of being a community created, enlivened and equipped by the Spirit of God.”
And Claude Mostowik MSC, President of Pax Australia says: “At the heart of today’s Gospel is forgiveness which follows from the breath of peace: ‘Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them.’ As our world is darkened by war, polarisation, resentment, and broken relationships we are reminded that we are called to become Spirit-filled people of light – marked by mercy, listening rather than condemning, restoring rather than excluding, healing rather than dividing.”
Now, I finish with a Graeme Base story ‘The Last King of Angkor Wat’, where four animals go on a race through the jungle, to the old temple.
In the end, once they all get there, wise old elephant was waiting to enlighten them on their weaknesses, which limited their positive qualities, Tiger, physically strong and powerful, but thoughtless and selfish, Gibbon thoughtful but lazy, Water Buffalo determined but fearful and lacking in courage, little Gecko brave, but silly, unwise and impulsive. None was as smart or as good as each thought!
Inner strength, compassion, resilience and courage, the qualities they ended up learning about, are very much connected to the fruits of the Spirit, as they finally humbly realized the need to grow, walking together as friends, not competitors, to find happiness and, so make a better world for each other and for all.
Come, Holy Spirit. Enlighten our minds and hearts to live the Gospel well, in our lives and our world.
john hannon 24th May 2026