I have been thinking about the renewal of the Church.
What must we do to reform and renew the Church?
How can the Church give a more authentic witness to Jesus Christ?

There are all sorts of answers to these questions.

For example, we need to be an open and transparent Church rather than hide in the darkness. We need to find ways for everyone, especially women, to minister in the Church. We need to change old structures that no longer serve us as they once did. The list could go on and I am sure you have your own suggestions.

But the feast of Pentecost allows me to address the question of reform and renewal from another vantage point—the reform and renewal that only the Spirit of God can bring about.

When I was a young priest, I was filled with hope and enthusiasm for the future of the Church. I didn’t lack in self-confidence because I thought I knew exactly what had to be done. In those days I could have listed for you all the changes the Church should make. But those changes did not and could not reform and renew the Church from within; they were merely external changes.

That was fifty years ago.

Today I remain hopeful about the reform and renewal of the Church. But I now see that enduring reform and renewal will only come about through a deep inner renewal of the heart and soul of the Church, the heart and soul of each one of us. I now understand that this can only be done by the transforming power of God’s Holy Spirit. This is why Pentecost remains so important.

Before the Church can change, we must change. Before the Church can be reformed, we must be reform because we are the body of Christ. What we need is a deep inner renewal that only the Spirit of God will bring about.

What might this renewal look like? While I do not claim to have all the answers, I have three suggestions.

First, it will be a renewal that will conform us more perfectly to the image of the crucified/risen Christ. If we want to become the Body of Christ, the Church, we must become Christ in our daily lives. We must become Christ in a way that changes and transforms us from within, so that others will look at us and say, “There is the Body of Christ; there, Christ is present and alive in our midst!”

Second, it will be a renewal that leads to a deep and profound life prayer whereby we are intimately united with Christ in prayer every day. I am not talking about saying more prayers; we do that already. I am talking about a prayer life so deep and so intimate that we are one with Christ and Christ is one with us in all we do.

Finally, it will be a renewal that leads to a joyful witness to the gospel. When the Spirit of God changes and transforms us from within, we will joyfully and enthusiastically proclaim our faith to others. We will become disciples on a mission to proclaim the good news of Christ because they will have found new life in Jesus.

Is such a renewal possible? 

It is possible if, and only if, it is the work of the Holy Spirit within us. It is not my work; it is not your work, although we must cooperate; it is the work of God’s Spirit within us. It is a new Pentecost!

Pentecost is happening now -- in this place, in our midst. Pentecost will change and reform us so that our dry bones will rise up into new life.

And so I pray,
“Holy Spirit, come and renew the face of the earth. Renew this parish so ready to proclaim the gospel. Renew our Church so bruised with scares. Renew each one of us who are discouraged and disheartened. For, only you can renew and transform the Church. Only you can renew and transform us.” Amen.

Father Matera