When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled,
they were all in one place together.

What does it mean to be a Christian? What is required of you and me in order to be truly Christian?

Today’s readings and gospel give us a whole series of requirements for the Christian life. Let’s look at these requirements.

They were all in one place together.

Coming together in worship, in a community of believers, is indicative of our Christian faith. Christian history is filled with the examples of individuals who excelled in the faith. Yet none lived alone and apart. Even the dessert hermits came together in prayer and for spiritual direction.

Sometimes the struggle of faith seems like such a lonely journey. We think we are like Jacob, in a one-on-one wrestling match with the Almighty. We focus inward and forget the fact that the Holy Spirit was sent to the community, to the group gathered together in one place.

When you seem most alone in your journey, take a moment to reflect on your Christian community, here in this Church. Remember the words that are part of the Canon of the Holy Mass —“ the Eucharistic Prayer:

Remember Your people, Lord, especially our brothers and sisters for whom we now pray. Remember all of us who are present here who truly believe and are devoted to You.

We pray as a community and as Christians, whether living or deceased, we are never alone or outside of the community.

We are to come together as community and as community we are to proclaim God’s mighty acts.

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit
and began to speak in different tongues,
as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.
…of the mighty acts of God.—

We are to proclaim, as a community, and in our individual lives, the things the Spirit prompts us to proclaim. We are to proclaim the truth of Jesus Christ. God’s mighty act of love for our salvation was the giving of His very Son for our salvation.

It is a truth the world likes hearing about less and less. It is an uncomfortable truth, because it is a truth that calls people to do something abhorrent to society. It calls them to sacrifice.

The truth of the Spirit is stronger than the world and we are to have no fear of the world. Even if the world were to kill the body, the truth perseveres. The martyrs attest to that. The martyrs attest to the primacy of self sacrifice.

The world needs to hear us speaking in many tongues and in many ways. The world needs to hear us on television, radio, and the internet. It needs to hear us one-on-one and as a community. It needs ministers, bishops, priests, and deacons who will stand in the forefront and witness to the truth of Jesus Christ. It needs each and every one of you to live and to proclaim the greatness of the Catholic/Christian faith —“ a faith prompted by the Holy Spirit —“ a faith to be proclaimed.

And we receive the gifts necessary for our particular mission.

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit;
there are different forms of service but the same Lord;
there are different workings but the same God
who produces all of them in everyone.
To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit
is given for some benefit.

We gather as a community to proclaim the Word and as members we are given the gifts fitting to the increase of not only our own faith, but that of the entire world.

The gifts we have received are not without purpose or meaning. God doesn’t do anything that is pointless. He doesn’t give any unnecessary gifts. Therefore, look inward and take stock of your gifts. Use them mightily for the building up of God’s Church.

Remember that God has blessed us greatly. He has given us the commission to go forth and baptize all nations. He has given us the warrant and the gifts necessary to proclaim Him. He has gathered us as a people into one community of faith. One community, one faith, proclaiming the one Lord, Jesus Christ, with the gifts given to each of us, the manifestation of the Holy Spirit, for the establishment of the Kingdom of God.

The Holy Spirit is the most beautiful and most powerful force —“ a gift given to us to fulfill Christ’s command. The Holy Spirit is the gift that is necessary for our faith and for our lives as Christians. Do not forget to give thanks for His gifts and to act.