Acts 2:1-11; 1 Cor
12:3b-7, 12-13; John 14:15-16
When you climb high in the mountains you need to keep
in mind that higher you go less oxygen you have to breath. It means for example
that if you are at 18.000” you have only 50% of the amount of oxygen in the air
in comparison to sea level. At 25.000” you are entering so called “death zone”.
It is called “death zone” for your body literally starves for oxygen and any
further ascend causes serious deterioration to your health. No person can live
or stay for more than several days above this elevation.
Every mountain climber needs to keep this simple fact in
his or her mind that lack of oxygen effects you physically and mentally. Simple
tasks take longer. For example,
· you can’t walk or run as fast as you could do at sea
level. And if you do you usually end up with severe headache, nausea and very
difficult time when trying to catch your breath. Believe me it is painful. I
tried it.
· Sometimes you also hear imaginary sounds and voices as
you climb.
· You have problems sleeping for in sleep your body
stops breathing for extended period of times.
· If you get yourself hurt wounds do not heal so well
and fast as at sea level.
· And if you move too fast to higher elevation without
allowing yourself to acclimatize to changing condition of lack of oxygen in the
air you are likely to suffer from altitude sickness. And altitude sickness
might be a serious problem for a climber because it might cause his or her
death.
Lack of oxygen in the air effects climbers in dramatic ways
on a mountain in spite of their age, physical condition and stamina.
Lack of the presence of the Holly Spirit in a person or a
community has a similar effect on their spiritual life. As we celebrate this
weekend Pentecost Sunday we remind ourselves that without the presence of God’s
Spirit in our midst we are in a big trouble. We need the Holly Spirit, as much
as our body needs oxygen, in order to live lives of Christians.
The Holy Spirit:
-
Unites us
together and demands that we support and journey on in this life with one
another.
-
It gives us
passion and courage to live out Jesus’ gospel.
So:
-
justice is not
denied
-
dignity is not
damaged
-
rights are not
deprived
-
needs of the poor
are met
-
life is preserved
and respected.
Is St. Mary's filled with the God’s
Spirit?
The answer is given by us by the ways we are doing Christ's
works and by keeping his commandments. And not just as individuals but as the
whole community.
This weekend we want to recognize different ministries of
our church. They are included in this booklet which you are free to take it
with you. I would like to ask you to stand up and remain standing when a name
of the ministry you are involved in is read. We all want to recognize you and
express our deepest gratitude for what you do to keep the Spirit of God present
in the midst of our community.


