We most often associate the Holy Spirit with the Spirit’s
descent upon the disciples in the form of tongues
as of fire in the Acts of the Apostles, a stunning event that signals the
birth of the Christian Church and its mission to go forth and spread the Good
News.
But in fact, as we learn in the panoply of readings for the
Pentecost Vigil and Mass During the Day, the spirit of God has made its
presence felt throughout salvation history, from God’s breath giving life to
Creation (Psalm 104) to the reanimation of the dry bones in Ezekiel to God’s pouring out [God’s] spirit on all
humankind in Joel.
So we should not be at all surprised when Paul, in his
letters to the Romans, Corinthians and Galatians, reminds us that we too bear
the mark of the Holy Spirit: To each individual the mark of the Holy
Spirit is given for some benefit (1 Corinthians). While we wait for fullness of union with God, we are sustained by the
Spirit who intercedes for us (Romans) as Advocate (John), helping us to communicate with
God and to connect with one another. It’s
up to us to remain open to the manifold ways of the working of the Spirit in
our own lives, allowing the gifts the Spirit bestows on each of us to be of
service to all in our community. This
is the Spirit of Truth (John) of which Jesus
speaks in the Gospel – the Spirit that brings peace
and fosters joy, the Spirit that offers us the gifts of patience,
generosity, kindness, and gentleness (Galatians) so that we may reach out to others from the fullness of God’s love.
May we all be filled with the Love that is the Spirit of God today and every day!
(The above reflection is based on notes from Fr. Pat's Thursday night Scripture class.)
(The above reflection is based on notes from Fr. Pat's Thursday night Scripture class.)
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