2nd Sunday after Pentecost

Written by:  Rev’d. Jean-Claudel Wagnac

                                                Luke 8: 26-39

INTRODUCTION

After the feast of Pentecost, last Sunday we celebrated the Feast of the Trinity, also known as Corpus Christi. To begin, I would like to briefly recall the importance of this feast in the Christian liturgy. The mystery of the Holy Trinity is a central dogma in Christianity and a fundamental concept of our faith. This mystery consists of the existence of one God in three persons, the Father (the Creator), the Son (the Redeemer), and the Holy Spirit (the Comforter). In other words, according to theologians, our God is both one and triune. This thesis defies mathematical laws. For, while for ordinary mortals 1+1+1=3, for us Christians 1+1+1=1. This is the mystery: something incomprehensible to human reason. On the occasion of the Feast of the Trinity, Christians celebrate this mystery and meditate on the loving relationship between these three distinct persons sharing the same divine nature.

That said, today we return to Ordinary Time. I would like to take this opportunity to review the key moments of the liturgical year and briefly explain the symbolism of the colors we commonly use.

THE SYMBOLISM OF LITURGICAL COLORS

The main colors we use for our liturgical celebrations are green, white, red, purple, pink, blue, and black.

Green is the liturgical color of Ordinary Time, which is divided into two parts: the period between the Feast of the Trinity and Advent, and the period between Christmas and Lent. It symbolizes hope, growth, and new life.

White is used for special occasions such as Christmas, Easter, Epiphany, Transfiguration, and other solemnities. White is the symbol of purity. It is associated with resurrection, glory, light, joy, and eternal life.

Red is the color of blood. It is used on Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Pentecost, and for the feasts of the Apostles and Martyrs. It symbolizes the blood of Christ shed on the cross and that of the martyrs. It also symbolizes the fire of the Spirit poured out on the disciples.

Purple is used at two important times in the liturgy: Advent (to prepare for Christmas) and Lent (to prepare for Easter). It is a symbol of expectation, conversion, and penance.

Pink is used twice during the liturgical year: the 3rd Sunday of Advent (Gaudete) and the 4th Sunday of Lent (Laetare). This means that in each case, purple is suspended for a Sunday. Pink symbolizes the joy of the celebration being prepared.

Blue and black are used less and less. Lay readers still wear a blue stole. Black was once used for ceremonies for the dead.

TODAY'S BIBLE TEXTS

1 Kings 19:1-4, (5-7), 8-15a. The prophet Elijah fled to escape the wrath of Jezebel. On the way, the Angel of the Lord appeared to him and encouraged him to eat and drink. He traveled for forty days and forty nights to the mountain of God, Mount Horeb, where he met God Himself.

Galatians 3:23-29. Paul teaches the Galatians that before Christ, they were under the law. In Christ, they are under the faith. They are now sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus. They are therefore Abraham's descendants and heirs according to the promise.

Luke 8:26-39. Jesus arrived in pagan lands, more precisely in the land of the Gerasenes, opposite Galilee. There, he healed a man possessed by demons. This astonished the entire population. Meanwhile, the freed man spread the news throughout the village.

LESSONS FROM GOD'S WORD

The Lord cares for his servants. The Lord sends his angel to help Elijah, who was hungry and thirsty. The first good news of the day is that no matter what happens, the Lord takes care of his servants. He never abandons his children. We just have to trust him.

Faith in Christ makes us heirs of God. The second good news is that by believing in Christ, we become heirs of the Kingdom. However, to access this inheritance, we must be faithful to his teaching, which can be summed up in the commandment of Love: to love God and to love our neighbor. Here is the life plan I propose to you for this week.

The Lord frees us from our shackles to proclaim his wonders. In the Gospel, the man, freed from demons, begins to proclaim the wonders of God. The third good news is that God frees us from our chains to proclaim his blessings in our personal lives, in our families, in our churches, in our communities, etc.

CONCLUSION

Let us ask the Lord, through this Eucharist, to care for us as faithful servants, to make us true heirs of his Kingdom, and to give us the courage to be believers committed to the service of his Church. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.