If Alexander Graham Bell had kept his dream to himself, where
would we be? But - By sharing that
dream, he changed the world –and now everybody in here probably
owns at least one phone.
This is what happened to the Apostles in the first reading. They were physically inspired to spread the
word about Jesus. Look closely at that
word...IN SPIRED. It means the spirit
entered into them. They were given a
dream that they could change the world, and they allowed the spirit to propel
them out of the upper room into the street…the Spirit pushed them into taking
that first step. When people have a
clear goal placed before them, it inspires them to move toward the goal.
Picture a football team on the field, but the field has no end
zones – you can’t even imagine it. We wouldn't know which way to go. Without a goal to shoot for, what is the
point in playing the game? If I were on
that team, I'd just sit down in the middle of the field....why even bother? Without a goal, I have nothing to inspire me.
Have you ever met someone whose life held so much promise, they
COULD have accomplished great things… but somehow they got stuck... They
had nothing to inspire them, so they did nothing with their life. The problem is they have no dream to
accomplish, so they have no goals to push them off the couch.
Here's our challenge. Paul
says “To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given
for some benefit.”
... In other words, every one of us has some talent which God
gave us specifically to change the world… to help spread the word about Jesus
and help our church to grow. If our
church ain't growing, it is because too few people recognize that gift and put
it to use.
One perfect example is music.
I’d bet that sitting here right now are several people who love
music. Perhaps you can play an
instrument or sing, but you’ve never committed to helping with
music at Mass. Music is important at
Mass. When it is done well it can touch
our hearts. It can INSPIRE us. We NEED your talents – and
that’s why God gave them to you.
If Michelangelo had refused to use his talents, think of the great
artwork the world would never have known...
If you and I don't put our talents to work for Jesus, think of the great
works the church will leave undone.
It's more than that though... It is by using our talents that we
actually GET MORE inspired. I remember
as a kid, I was always pushing the family to get ready so we could leave for
church early...why? Not because I was
holy... But because I enjoyed serving. It
made me feel connected, important, like I was doing my part for Jesus. I was inspired by an enjoyment of serving,
and the more I used my talents, the more inspired I became. I enjoyed Mass because I was participating.
I think that would be true for anybody here…Would
you like to feel inspired when you come to mass? Would you like to enjoy Mass? Pick a way to get involved. You will change the world.
How else can every one of us get inspired? Well – that’s why I’m always pushing CD’s
and books and retreats. Those three
things are ways that we open our minds to allow the Holy Spirit to come in and
change us. We have to be constantly open
to the Holy Spirit changing us – because the Holy Spirit doesn’t
change the whole world at one time – He changes the world by changing
you. And you can only change if you’re
open to the dream that the Spirit wants to give you. The Holy Spirit gives us the ability to
believe what others might say is impossible.
Come Holy Spirit, enkindle in us the fire of your love. Send forth your spirit and they shall be
created, and you shall renew the face of the earth.
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