Homily of His Excellency, Selim Sfeir, Maronite Archbishop of Cyprus
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
The Holy Spirit has been at work from the very beginning until ‘the fullness of time’ (Gal 4:4). When we read the Old Testament, we search for what the Holy Spirit, “who has spoken through the prophets,” wants to tell us about Christ. This Sunday we read the list of the twelve sons of Jacob (also is known as Israel). We understand this account as both a historical record of real people who existed, but also, we understand that these twelve prefigure the new twelve, the apostles, who will be called by Jesus Christ.
Like a master artist, the Holy Spirit uses the events of the Old Testament to prepare for the New Testament. Just as Israel’s sons multiplied and filled the land of Egypt, the apostles of the new Israel will go forth and multiply, surpassing their fruitfulness, filling the entire world with the name of Jesus Christ, baptising all nations in the name of the Blessed Trinity.
Our Maronite Liturgy calls this Sunday, the Call of the Apostles. The Holy Spirit is the very Breath of Life, and it is He who gives life and ‘calls into being’ every creature: “Power over life pertains to the Spirit, for being God he preserves creation in the Father through the Son.” CCC #703
Recently we have heard of the government of United Kingdom making abortion more accessible and euthanasia now legal. Human beings do not require the Bible or the catechism to realise the monstrosity of these decisions. But because of our Christian faith, we know to Whom we must make reparation for these crimes against life. The Holy Spirit is the Lord and the Giver of Life and these crimes against human life are a rejection of His gift of Life. We can and we should offer up sacrifices and prayers to the Holy Spirit and make reparation for these sins against His goodness. It would be a beautiful and consoling effort if this Sunday we Maronites offered our Holy Communion in atonement for these crimes being committed against the Holy Spirit.
† Selim Sfeir
Maronite Archbishop of Cyprus