Deacon Tom Writes,
Let the Fire Fall
Today marks the Feast of Pentecost that celebrates the Holy
Spirit’s presence in our church. In fact, Pentecost is considered the "birthday of
the church”. The term "Pentecost" comes from the Greek word meaning
"the 50th day". It is the day Christianity commemorates the descent
of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, fifty days after Jesus’ resurrection.
Pentecost is not just a Christian feast. It is derived from
a Hebrew celebration known as, Shavuot, which was held 50 days after Passover
and was associated with the first harvest of grain in the spring, in other
words, it is a sign of life, a sign or hope, a sign of renewal, ideas and expressions
that perhaps have taken on greater significance given the state of worldly
affairs.
Pentecost continues to be very important in our Catholic
tradition because of its identification with the Trinity where God is the
Father who created all things; Jesus is the Redeemer of mankind; the Holy
Spirit sanctifies all that the Father has brought into being and all that Jesus
has redeemed.
The coming of the Holy Spirit into our world continues God’s
presence among us. The Holy Spirit, our Advocate, our Helper, brings divine
power to enable us to overcome our human weaknesses, our bigotries, our hatreds,
our idolatries, rivalries, and jealousies. The Holy Spirit is our champion who
awakens within us the divine qualities of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
generosity, and faithfulness. We call these attributes the “fruits of the Holy Spirit”. It is
through these gifts that we ourselves are transformed and are thus able to
cooperate with God in bringing about the transformation of the world into the
Kingdom of God, a kingdom of peace and justice, a kingdom where Christ will reign
forever over a new heaven and a new earth that we have been created to share.
Today, more so than perhaps ever before, we pray that the
Spirit of God, the Advocate, our Helper, friend, and companion be with us to
enlighten our minds and strengthen our hearts so that we may be instruments of
God’s peace. We pray that our world may see the dawning of a new day that ushers
in the Kingdom of God in its fullness.
Come Holy Spirit
Fill the hearts of your faithful
And kindle in them the fire of Your
Love.
Send forth your Spirit
And they shall be created.
And You shall
renew the face of the earth.
O, God, who by the light of the Holy
Spirit,
did instruct the hearts of the faithful,
grant that by the same Holy Spirit we
may be truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolations,
Through Christ Our Lord,
Amen.
Enjoy the day!
Deacon Tom
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