Pentecost

“Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.” Ps 104.

We take a moment to reflect upon this beautiful psalm today as we celebrate the great feast of Pentecost.

It is the Spirit of the Lord that was gifted to the apostles in the wake of Jesus returning to the Father. It is this same Spirit gifted to us on our Baptism as well as our confirmation day. We are told “they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim,” Acts 2:1-11, but they received so much more than that.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church names 7 distinct gifts bestowed upon the faithful by way of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. One has but to glance at these gifts to realize they are most needed in our world today. Now more than ever we cry out to God, “Lord, send out your Spirit.”

The amount of violence in our world, the greed, selfishness, dishonesty, disregard for human life, egotism, pride, hatred, envy, etc., etc. Lord, please send us your Spirit to help us to navigate through the snares and treachery of our times. Help us to stay focused on what matters in our lives, that being, making our way back to Heaven and helping others to achieve the same goal.

Today, the church reminds us of our responsibility as confirmed, Catholic adults, to spread the message of Jesus right where we find ourselves. Who in your family or workplace needs the reassurance that they are loved by God? Which member of your family or which close friend needs some encouragement in their faith journey? How can you put into practice those 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit today?

Just as the apostles were freed of their fears and inhibitions upon receiving the Spirit of God so must we find ourselves.

In giving us the Holy Spirit, Jesus promises us that He will be with us until the end of time. What have we to fear then? Our world is broken. It is up to us to answer God’s call and to bring Jesus to the world by means of our lives.

May we persevere in being that example of God’s love in our worlds, actions, and deeds. May we strive to bring Christ to those around us, beginning in our own homes. May our example of faith be a living witness to the message of the Gospels.

May we, empowered and moved by the Holy Spirit, help to bring about the renewal of the earth and the peace of God to all mankind.

Blessings to You and Yours!