“During challenging moments, with challenged bodies, broken hearts, and unquiet minds, the Holy Spirit acts as our guiding light”
LAST Sunday, Catholics celebrated the feast of Pentecost, also the anniversary of the birth of the Church.
The Gospel on Pentecost Sunday recounts the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews.
Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them, “Peace be with you,” and showed them his hands and his side.
The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Lord, and he said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.”
After saying this he breathed on them and said: “Receive the Holy Spirit. For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven: for those whose sins you retain, they are retained.”
Pentecost marks the day when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles and other believers. This event took place 50 days after Jesus’ resurrection and 10 days after His ascension.
Pentecost calls on us to a mission and the aim of this mission is to ensure “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea”.
When we truly grasp the significance of this monumental event, our hearts will burn with the desire to witness individuals from every tribe, tongue, and nation bowing before the exalted Lord Jesus Christ.
Pentecost signifies God’s mission to equip His church with the Holy Spirit’s power.
As believers, we participate in this mission, sharing the Gospel and making disciples.
Having the Holy Spirit as our Paraclete means God Himself dwells within us.
The Spirit instructs us in God’s Word and leads us into truth.
During challenging times, the Spirit recalls Jesus’ teachings to us, offering assurance and wisdom. But “Without the Holy Spirit, all zeal is vain and falsely apostolic,” Pope Francis teaches.
Explaining the above Gospel passage Pope Francis said the role of the Spirit in bringing harmony to the world, the Spirit “directs the course of time and renews the face of the earth.”
He lamented that our world today, marked by discord and divisions, desperately needs this harmony, yet resists it.
Although we may be more “connected,” we are in reality more isolated, “anesthetized by indifference.”
He emphasized that the numerous wars and conflicts we witness today reveal the extent of evil individuals can commit, driven by the spirit of division—the devil, whose name means “divider.”
The Pope illustrated how the Spirit descended upon each apostle, bestowing special graces and unique charisms on each one.
While it might seem these differing gifts could lead to confusion, in reality, just as in the natural world, “the Holy Spirit loves to create harmony out of diversity.”
The Holy Spirit is not an abstract concept but a living, active presence who seeks to work in our lives.
The Holy Spirit performs important roles and functions.
As a Guide: The Holy Spirit guides believers into truth and helps them discern God’s will.
As a Comforter: He provides comfort, encouragement, and strength. In difficult times, earthly remedies may provide temporary relief, but the Spirit offers lasting peace to our hearts.
As a Convicter of Sin: The Spirit convicts people of their need for salvation.
As Sanctifier, the Spirit works to transform believers, making them more like Christ.
Understanding the Holy Spirit can be challenging at times, but it serves as the bridge that keeps us connected to God.
Personally, I have found this to be effective whenever I find myself drifting away.
During challenging moments, with challenged bodies, broken hearts, and unquiet minds, the Holy Spirit acts as our guiding light.
Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus continually strengthens our faith, empowers us to bear witness, and enables us to proclaim the profound message of the gospel.
The Holy Spirit plays a pivotal role in the lives of believers, serving as the conduit through which Jesus continually strengthens our faith, empowers us to bear witness, and enables us to proclaim the profound message of the gospel.
The Holy Spirit, according to a wise and compassionate priest I know, is our defense lawyer, always our best advocate. No one can do it better.
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