RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT!
A Blessed Pentecost to one & all! May you be filled anew with the Holy Spirit & experience the Love, Peace, Joy & Forgiveness of the Risen Lord Jesus.
Our scriptures today point us to the Great Day of Pentecost & the dynamic & life-changing action of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of all believers. In our 1st Reading from Acts 2:1-11, we read about the account of the Day of Pentecost & the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles gathered in the Upper Room. Note that there already was a Jewish Feast of Pentecost called Shavuot, which celebrates the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai & also the end of the spring barley harvest. St Luke described that the coming of the Holy Spirit was manifested with the sound of a powerful wind (in fact, the Greek word for wind / breath / spirit is called ‘Pneuma’), with tongues of fire resting upon the Apostles & Mother Mary & all being filled with the Holy Spirit & speaking in foreign languages.
Our 2nd Reading from Galatians 5:16-25 tells us about the effect of the Hoy Spirit in the lives of authentic, Spirit-filled Christians – turning away from self-indulgence & bearing the fruit of the Holy Spirit of Love, Joy Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Trustfulness, Gentleness & Self-Control.
In our Gospel from John 15:26-27,16:12-15, Jesus declares that the Advocate, the Spirit of truth will bear witness to Him and will also lead us to the complete truth. And the truth we all need to claim, especially in these very often chaotic & tumultuous times, where secularism, relativism & materialism (among other ‘isms’) dominate our prevailing culture, is this: God loves you (cf Jeremiah 31:3, Isaiah 43:4, John 3:16, among other citations); Jesus Christ, the Son of God loves you & died to save you (cf Galatians 2:20); God has sent the Spirit into your heart & brings you into a deep & close relationship with God as Abba, Father (cf Romans 8:14-16 & Galatians 4:6).
So, today, on Pentecost Sunday, do you want to be filled anew with, & experience a change of heart by the Holy Spirit? Do you frequently feel that the demands of daily living often overwhelm you & cause you to feel anxious & stressed? Do you also experience dis-empowering feelings of fear, disappointment, rejection, guilt & shame? Do you find in the face of life’s challenges that it is truly hard to pray & connect with God, & that your faith is becoming more lukewarm or even diminishing?
Then, open your heart & call out to the Holy Spirit; “Come, Holy Spirit! I need You!” He HEARS your cry & WILL fill you with His Presence! He will give you the Peace, Joy, Comfort, Healing & Love of God. Beg the Risen Lord Jesus to ‘fan into a flame the gift of the Holy Spirit’ (cf 2 Timothy 1:6) you received at your Baptism & Confirmation. May the Holy Spirit set your heart on fire with love for Jesus, a passion & zeal to serve the Lord, your family & others, and live life to the full (cf John 10:10).
Here's the “Pentecost Sequence” which we will sing at Mass today before the Gospel. This piece was produced specially by our Parish. As you listen, pray & sing along, may the Holy Spirit fill your life to overflowing.
https://youtu.be/nEbY53CXI90?si=gy9P0e7oLBEahVLj
Article by Damian Boon, HFC Blog Team Lead