Homily for Monday of the 7th Week of Easter

For daily readings, see http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/050508.shtml

Mary, Queen of Vocations, pray for us!
Come Holy Spirit, enlighten our hearts, and enkindle in us the fire of your love!


Paul insists on a baptism by the Holy Spirit during today's first reading from the Acts of the Apostles. He describes the baptism of John as efficacious but insufficient. Just as insufficient is a Christian life that simply focuses on repentance for sins committed. This is a good and necessary start, but the kingdom of heaven is not reserved just for those who get a high enough score on the moral behavior entrance exam. It is not enough to just be a good person who does not commit grave evils. No, the baptism of the Holy Spirit which the Church greatly anticipates in this last week before Pentecost is a baptism into a sharing in the very life of God. The baptism of repentance preached by John preserves our human dignity as made in the image and likeness of God. Through the baptism of the Holy Spirit, our human nature is elevated and we become His children capable of sharing in the divine nature. It is this baptism that prepares us to follow where Christ has led through His Ascension we celebrated on Sunday. Led by the Spirit, who delivers to us a real and personal relationship with Jesus, we are transformed into His likeness. Through the baptism of the Holy Spirit, all things are possible, even our becoming perfect, as our Heavenly Father is perfect!

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