June 12, 2011
Pentecost
Do we follow the example of the disciples (including women from Galilee and Mary the Mother of Jesus) and pray for the Holy Spirit? Consider what the Holy Spirit can do! The Spirit enabled the assembled brothers and sisters to find words and voices to tell the story of Jesus in Jerusalem and then to go into the known world proclaiming the Gospel. St. Paul reminds the Corinthians that it is only in and through the Holy Spirit that they are able to profess "Jesus is Lord." The Spirit is the source of their unity as the Body of Christ. The Spirit activates gifts or charisma in them to continue the ministry of Jesus. Jesus in the Gospel according to St. John, on Easter Sunday, "breathes" on the disciples and bids them to forgive. "Spirit" in Hebrew means "breath" -- the very breath of God! Today we celebrate Pentecost -- the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birthing of the Church. During the Easter Vigil I confirmed four adults and we await the conferral of the Sacrament of Confirmation on our young adults in October. These special occasions or outpourings will be even more fruitful when we open ourselves to the Spirit. We must experience our personal and communal Pentecost! Catch the Spirit. We pray in Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, to the Father: "Send forth your Holy Spirit. Enkindle in us the fire of your love and renew the face of the earth."
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Ascension of the Lord
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Most Holy Trinity
