|
Sunday, 27 May 2007 |
The word “pentecost” comes from the Greek word for “fiftieth”. In about 200 B.C., at Alexandria (Egypt), scholars translated the Hebrew scriptures into Greek (the dominant world language at that time), so that the people of the diaspora (Jews living outside Palestine, not knowing the Hebrew language) might read the Word of God. This translation is known as the Septuagint (“LXX”) and was widely used in the communities of the early Church.
The word “pentecost” was used in the Septuagint to describe the Feast of Weeks (Deut. 16.9), a harvest feast of first-fruits...held some fifty days after Passover. This same word came to describe the manifestation of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2), experienced by the apostles and the mother of Jesus during the Feast of Weeks, in Jerusalem.
Today, on Pentecost Sunday, we stand together as the parish family of St. John Neumann, in professing our faith in God. We stand together, as sons and daughters of God, made so in the sacrificial obedience of the Lord Jesus. The Holy Spirit has been promised and has been manifest in the life of our parish. As the newcomer among you, I plead with the Lord, the Giver of all gifts, to anoint us anew. Join me in praying the words of our patron, St. John Neumann... dearest God, give me holiness.
This gift of holiness, it is a gift for each disciple of the Lord Jesus; but it is also a gift for the Body, the whole Church. And this universal Church of Christ is present in Lilburn, each time we gather around the Altar of Christ and witness His blessing, in the Breaking of the Bread. We are a parish family, and our strength is found not in ourselves alone, but in ourselves as disciples of the Lord. Again, our strength is found when we are bound together in the Lord, in obedient love. Discipleship is disciplined love, following Him.
I am asking this parish family, to assist me in my call of shepherding this portion of the Lord’s flock. I am seeking your advice and counsel about the building projects that have been in discussion at the parish for several years. Please take the time to fill out the on-line (www.surveysbw.com/sjneng ) survey that I have commissioned. I need to hear from every household, so that I might be fully aware of the opinions of the broad cross-section of the parish. Once the survey is completed, I will share the results with you, and let you know how I understand the Lord’s path for us.
A.M.D.G.
Msgr. David Talley |
