Father Jim's homily focuses on the concept of self-indulgence, especially in relation to the celebration of Pentecost and the influence of the Holy Spirit. He begins by painting a vivid picture of opulence to highlight what we often imagine as self-indulgence. He then shifts to question whether our modern comforts, like electricity, air conditioning, and abundance of food, also classify as self-indulgence, particularly when compared to past generations and people in less affluent parts of the world.
He cites St. Paul's letter to the Galatians, noting that self-indulgence is contrary to the Holy Spirit. St. Paul lists negative behaviors arising from self-indulgence, such as jealousy, drunkenness, and quarrels, likening them to the exaggerated vices we see portrayed in reality TV shows. Father Jim points out the adverse effects of indulging in every desire, including obesity, mental health issues, and environmental damage.
The solution, he explains, is embracing the Holy Spirit, which contrasts self-indulgence. The Holy Spirit fills our internal voids, reducing our cravings for comfort, pleasure, and status. This presence fosters virtues like love, peace, patience, and self-control—qualities that better ourselves and our relationships.
Father Jim emphasizes that these virtues are not merely traditional values but are supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit, helping us transcend our basic nature. He concludes by reflecting on the significance of Pentecost, encouraging us to invite the Holy Spirit into our lives, to transform and guide us according to God's will. The homily is a call to live beyond mere self-satisfaction, towards a life enriched by divine grace and communal well-being.
Journal and reflect on the following questions for 20 minutes
Self-Assessment of Indulgence: Reflect on your daily life and habits. In what ways might you be living a self-indulgent lifestyle? Consider aspects like technology use, food consumption, and leisure activities.
Impact on Others: How do your indulgent behaviors affect those around you? Consider both immediate impacts on your family and friends, and broader impacts on society or the environment.
Historical Perspective: Compare your lifestyle with that of your grandparents or great-grandparents. What differences do you notice in terms of comfort and consumption? How do you think they would view your lifestyle?
Spiritual Contrast: St. Paul lists behaviors he considers fruits of self-indulgence. Which of these behaviors do you see in your own life or in society today? How do they contrast with the fruits of the Holy Spirit?
Role of the Holy Spirit: How do you understand the role of the Holy Spirit in combating self-indulgence? Can you think of a time when you felt the Holy Spirit guided you to make a less self-centered choice?
Practicing Virtues: Pick one of the virtues associated with the Holy Spirit (e.g., kindness, patience, self-control). How can you actively cultivate this virtue in your life over the next week?
Prayer and Action: Father Jim ends with the prayer 'Come Holy Spirit.' How can you make this prayer a part of your daily routine? What actions can you take to align more closely with the Holy Spirit's guidance in your life?
Discuss
Listen to the following song
Song - Come Holy Spirit - Dan Callow & Emily Clark
Final Prayer
Heavenly Father, we humbly invite Your Holy Spirit to permeate our lives, guiding us away from the snares of self-indulgence and towards the virtues of Your divine grace. Renew our spirits, that we might embrace love, joy, peace, and self-control, shunning the temptations that lead us astray. Fill us with Your wisdom and strength, so we may live not for ourselves but for Your greater glory, demonstrating the fruits of the Spirit in all our actions and relationships. In the name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.
