Born in 1955, Robert Francis Prevost and growing up as a Sox fan in an ordinary Chicago neighborhood, his  humble background prepared him for the priesthood and more specifically as an Augustinian missionary dedicated to the people of Peru.  Elevated to the episcopacy in 2013 his motto was  “In Illo uno unum”— “although we Christians are many, in the one Christ we are one.”  On May 8th of this past year he was elected the 267th Pope choosing the name, Leo XIV.  A month later, celebrating the Feast of Pentecost, his homily is worthy of consideration.

Dear brothers and sisters, “The day has dawned upon us when..., glorified by his ascension into heaven following his resurrection, the Lord Jesus Christ sent the Holy Spirit.”  As Pope Benedict explained: “The Holy Spirit bestows understanding. The Spirit opens borders... The Church must always become anew what she already is. She must open the borders between peoples and break down the barriers between class and race. In her, there cannot be those who are neglected or disdained. In the Church there are only free men and women, brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ” Here we have an eloquent image of Pentecost, one that I would like to pause for a moment and reflect upon with you.  The Spirit opens borders, first of all, in our hearts. He is the Gift that opens our lives to love. His presence breaks down our hardness of heart, our narrowness of mind, our selfishness, the fears that enchain us and the narcissism that makes us think only of ourselves. The Holy Spirit comes to challenge us. The Spirit of God allows us to find a new way of approaching and experiencing life. He puts us in touch with our inmost self, beneath all the masks we wear. He leads us to an encounter with the Lord by teaching us to experience the joy that is his gift. . . . The Spirit also opens borders in our relationship with others. Jesus tells us that this Gift is the love between him and the Father that comes to dwell within us. We then become capable of opening our hearts to our brothers and sisters, overcoming our rigidity, moving beyond our fear of those who are different, and mastering the passions that stir within. The Spirit also transforms those deeper, hidden dangers that disturb our relationships, like suspicion, prejudice or the desire to manipulate others. . . . The Holy Spirit, on the other hand, brings within us that which enables us to cultivate good and healthy relationships: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, gentleness” (Gal 5:22). . . .This is also a critical yardstick for the Church. For we are truly the Church of the Risen Lord and disciples of Pentecost if there are no borders or divisions among us; if we are able to dialogue and accept one another in the Church, and to reconcile our diversities; and if, as Church, we become a welcoming and hospitable place for all. Finally, the Spirit also opens borders between peoples. At Pentecost, the Apostles spoke the languages of those they met, harmony brought about by the Spirit. Whenever God’s “breath” unites our hearts and makes us view others as our brothers and sisters, differences no longer become an occasion for division and conflict but rather a shared patrimony from which we can all draw, and which sets us all on a journey together, in fraternity. . . . Brothers and sisters, Pentecost renews the Church and the world! May the strong wind of the Spirit come upon us and within us, open the borders of our hearts, grant us the grace of encounter with God, enlarge the horizons of our love and sustain our efforts to build a world in which peace reigns.  May Mary Most Holy, Woman of Pentecost, Virgin visited by the Spirit, Mother full of grace, accompany us and intercede for us. On this Memorial weekend there are graduation ceremonies taking place at our local schools.  To our graduates, congratulations; and may the hope of our faith guide your future ambitions, your relationships, and decisions.  On this three day weekend, we honor those who sacrificed for the freedoms and democracy we enjoy in our country, alongside the memories of family members and friends who have died. Gracious God, on this Memorial Day, we pray for those who courageously laid down their lives for the cause of freedom. May the examples of their sacrifice inspire in us the selfless love of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.  Bless the families of our fallen troops with hope.  And too, safeguard the wellbeing and dignity of our men and women who continue to serve our country.  In union with people of goodwill of every nation, embolden us to answer the call to work for peace and justice, and thus, protect the most vulnerable.  Amen.        God Bless,  Fr. Tim