THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Her Doctrine and Morals Pentecost Sunday 27 May 2012

The Sunday Sermon

Dear Friends,

There is only one true Church; and it is only within this Church that the Holy Ghost dwells. There are many false churches – numerous ones that even use the name of Jesus Christ, but they will be counted among those to whom our Lord will say on the last day: “Depart from Me you workers of iniquity. I know you not.” The Holy Ghost only sanctifies those within the Church or those to whom He desires to be lead into the Church.

It is clear enough from the events that we recall today that the Apostles were filled with the Holy Ghost and the Church continues this grace through the successors of the Apostles – the true bishops. What we often fail to consider is that the Holy Ghost worked likewise upon all that heard the Apostles and were converted. By our baptism and confirmation we have received the Holy Ghost and have become His temples. There is a constant stream of graces offered to us by Him for our sanctification if we will only cooperate with Him. Those who heard the Apostles preach and believed and were baptized, cooperated with the Holy Ghost and received Him and His graces.

We see that the Holy Ghost works from both sides (the Church hierarchy and the Church laity) to bring about most successfully the salvation of souls. While we pray for our bishops and priests that they may more completely cooperate with the Holy Ghost, we must not forget to do our own part. We must likewise make ourselves God’s worthy temples.

We must constantly remind ourselves that we belong to God. We have been purchased at a great price – the life of Christ – and have been cleansed and sanctified by the grace of the Holy Ghost through the sacraments. We are temples of God. Our bodies and souls are sacred and are not to be profaned. While we see so many others who are not members of the true Church go this way or that or do this or that, we must refrain and/or restrain ourselves from acting in like manner because we have been sanctified and have received the Holy Ghost. It is most unfitting to take that which is holy and sacred and profane it. It is similar to the sacrilege of desecrating a church, or any other object dedicated to God. If only we could see with the eyes of our souls what a terrible evil sin is!

The Holy Ghost does not come to us all in the same manner or in the same degree. So we must also constantly remind ourselves to remain humble. We must never allow the gifts that God has given us to puff us up with pride or vanity. One of the reasons why the Holy Ghost does not shower us with so many miraculous manifestations today is because they would prove more harmful to us than beneficial. Men today are more prone to pride and vanity and tend to steal the honor and glory from God by attributing His gifts to themselves. How much worse this would be if they were given more wondrous gifts?

We must also refrain from envy or jealousy when we see the various graces that God has bestowed upon others. Rather than fall into this temptation we should be thankful and praise God for His goodness and mercy. We must see that all that He does is well done.

The gifts that He has given us are not only for our own good but for the good of others also. The graces that the Apostles received were not just for themselves but, were for the sanctification of others. Likewise, the graces that we each receive in whatever station in life God has called us, are not for ourselves, they are not really even our own. We have no right to them. They belong to God and He is to be glorified by them. They are to be shared with one another to assist in bringing others along with ourselves to give greater honor and glory to God.