Monday, June 9, 2025

From Division to Discipleship: The Spirit’s Call in a Troubled World


The World We See and the Hope We Hold

The glorious nearly 100 days of Easter season is over—a sacred time that reminds us of the most transformative truth in human history: Christ has conquered sin and death. Yet, in the present ordinary time, when we look at the world around us, we are struck not by triumph but by turmoil. News headlines speak of division, hatred, and conflict. We see it globally and nationally, but also in our own communities, in our families, and, heartbreakingly, even within the Church.

But there is hope.

This recent Pentecost feast, proclaims a world made new through the Spiritus Sanctus—the holy breath of love between the Father and the Son– the love that exists between the two. This Spirit doesn’t just inspire; it sanctifies, unifies, and sends us out. It is the same Spirit that empowered the apostles in the Upper Room and sent them into the world to proclaim the Good News.

The same Spirit that Sends Us Forth

The Church was never meant to remain cloistered. From the very beginning, it has been propelled outward with a divine urgency. The Holy Spirit is not passive; it moves with “centrifugal energy,” drawing us out of comfort and into mission.

Jesus’ ministry was the meeting of heaven and earth. His life and Resurrection shattered the illusion that darkness has the final word. His wounds remind us of our sin; his peace assures us of our salvation. And through Pentecost, we are filled with the very Spirit that raised him from the dead.

As disciples, we are summoned—not by our own plans but by God’s. True evangelization doesn’t stem from strategy, but from surrender; from Spirit-led inspiration and not from motivated human suggestion. The question is no longer “Will I go?” but rather, “Where is the Spirit sending me?” What does the Spirit prompt me to do next?

Evangelizing a Wounded Culture

We believe that to evangelize a culture, you must first love it. Cardinal George wisely noted, “You can’t evangelize a culture you don’t love.” This mission—to propose the true, the good, and the beautiful in a spirit of unity—is what drives the present-day media outreach, both old and new.

In a world deeply fractured, this love, born of the Spirit, is the only force strong enough to reconcile. And reconciliation, as the Latin root reminds us, is about intimacy—being brought “face to face” with the other. That is the power of Christ: to restore, to heal, and to reconcile humanity with God and one another.

Your Role in the Mission

As we have reflected on the Solemnity of Pentecost and today the Memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church, we are reminded that the Spirit and the Blessed Mother are not relics of history—they are agents of the present. Just as they once brought Christ into the world, they now seek to bring Christ to birth in our hearts, our homes, and our culture.

All are invited to this Spirit-led mission. Our reciprocal support helps the Church (People of God) continue proclaiming Christ across platforms and continents, reaching those who might never step inside a church. We have received the Holy Spirit. We are encouraged to share the ‘Spirit force’ generously so that more hearts may be kindled with the fire of divine love.

Go Forth, United in the Spirit

Jesus offers us both a reminder and a mission: “Peace be with you.” This is not a peace the world can manufacture. It is a divine peace—Shalom—that flows from the heart of God. The world may be broken, but the Church is alive. And the Spirit is still moving.

Let us go forth, not with fear but with fire. Let us follow Christ, deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and bring God’s peace to every corner of the earth.

Together, let’s “make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19) and “renew the face of the earth”– our common home.

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