On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”
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“Oh! How happy shall we be, if we receive these priceless gifts, for doubtless, they will lead us to the summit of this mystical ladder where we shall be received by our Divine Savior who awaits us there with open arms, to make us participants of His glory and felicity.” -St. Francis DeSales
Reflection
In my parish church, we have a St. Francis De Sales Food Pantry. There is a small mention of it in our bulletin and on our website. Most people in the community know about this pantry, but it does not mean much to them - just one ministry of many in the parish.
For those who are involved in this ministry, though, it is a very special place. There are wonderful and dedicated volunteers who work hard to fill the pantry shelves with food every Wednesday, and from this small room, every Tuesday and Saturday, food is distributed to many families who find it difficult to pay all of their bills and buy enough food for their children and household.
When I visit and participate in the work of the pantry, I recognize that these volunteers possess a strong sense of the importance of what they are doing. In the midst of the hard work – sharing the food with the long line of clients waiting at the door, trying to meet their specific needs – I see them practice patience, humility, and generosity. They share spiritual thoughts and prayers each day with those who come for food. They laugh together when moments in the work are challenging – like old friends sharing a private joke. They are generous with the people who come and have formed a deep bond of friendship and community with one another and with the people they serve.
On the days they volunteer, when the work is done, the staff also pray together and cook and share a meal and conversation. There is a tangible joy among the volunteers that brings them back to help each day. I believe it comes from the love and friendship they experience in this small community they have formed and a sense of completing God’s will in doing something so concrete and biblical as feeding the hungry.
So often we are used to recognizing the Church as a great structured institution spread throughout the world, accomplishing great things. Yet the Church is also you and me, living our simple lives individually and communally as faithful Catholics. We are pilgrims devoted to a life of virtue, opening our hearts to God’s call, and responding to that call.
We share that message with others - in the friendships we make, in the communities we form, in the good works that we do. Always in the company of the same Holy Spirit. Just as the Apostles and Mary came forth from the upper room to proclaim to the waiting world the Good News, so we are called to do the same.
Today, without fear, trepidation, or confusion, we open our hearts - individually and as a Church community - to the Holy Spirit. May we live the gifts of the Spirit we receive, share the Gospel message, and discover the great joy of uniting the mission of our life with the mission of our Church, which is such an important way to unite ourselves with the great work of our God – building His kingdom of love, and the salvation of the world.
Pastor of Jesus the Worker Catholic Church and Mission San Jose, Fort Myers, Florida
