Receive the Holy Spirit

 

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate how the Love between the Father and the Son becomes active in our lives through the Holy Spirit.

Come Holy Spirit

 

The reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes the coming of the Holy Spirit.

 

* [2:3] Tongues as of fire: see Ex 19:18 where fire symbolizes the presence of God to initiate the covenant on Sinai. Here the holy Spirit acts upon the apostles, preparing them to proclaim the new covenant with its unique gift of the Spirit (Acts 2:38).1

Psalm 104 praises God as the Creator and Provider.

 * [104:29–30] On one level, the spirit (or wind) of God is the fall and winter rains that provide food for all creatures. On another, it is the breath (or spirit) of God that makes beings live.2

The reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians describes One Body with many members.

 * [12:12–26] The image of a body is introduced to explain Christ’s relationship with believers (1 Cor 12:12). 1 Cor 12:13 applies this model to the church: by baptism all, despite diversity of ethnic or social origins, are integrated into one organism. 1 Cor 12:14–26 then develop the need for diversity of function among the parts of a body without threat to its unity.3

In the Gospel of John, Jesus proclaims peace as He appears to the Disciples.

 

* [20:19] The disciples: by implication from Jn 20:24 this means ten of the Twelve, presumably in Jerusalem. Peace be with you: although this could be an ordinary greeting, John intends here to echo Jn 14:27. The theme of rejoicing in Jn 20:20 echoes Jn 16:22.4

Rev. Richard Gabuzda comments that to speak about what one has seen and heard, to testify and to give witness. This is the fire that lies at the heart of all the gifts the Spirit lavishes on the Church. The gifts themselves, the ordinary as well as the more extraordinary, testify to the Risen Jesus who lives through the Church, in the lives of those who “have seen and heard,” who have experienced his presence.

 

On this Pentecost Sunday, let us implore the Holy Spirit to awaken our slumbering hearts and remove the blindness from our eyes, so that we may see and hear Jesus, Risen Lord, and that we might be given, through the Spirit’s manifold gifts, the grace to more boldly proclaim him.5

Don Schwager quotes “The Holy Spirit at Pentecost,” by Leo the Great, 400-461 A.D.

 

"To the Hebrew people, now freed from Egypt, the law was given on Mount Sinai fifty days after the immolation of the paschal lamb. Similarly, after the passion of Christ in which the true Lamb of God was killed, just fifty days after his resurrection, the Holy Spirit fell upon the apostles and the whole group of believers. Thus the earnest Christian may easily perceive that the beginnings of the Old Covenant were at the service of the beginnings of the gospel and that the same Spirit who instituted the first established the Second Covenant." (excerpt from Sermon 75.1)6

The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 2:1-11 notes that Luke tells us that they all received the same gift of the Holy Spirit. They all began speaking in tongues. And they all found new courage and boldness to speak “of the mighty acts of God” (Acts 2:11).

 

You know where this is going, right? God gives the same Spirit that filled Peter and the apostles to everyone who asks. That includes you, your family, your friends, even your enemies. God doesn’t restrict his blessings to a chosen few. He wants to fill everyone! Try something different at Mass today. Whether you’re gathered with fellow parishioners in your church or joining others online, imagine what it would be like if the Spirit fell on all of you during the liturgy. What would it look like for all of those present—including you—to experience the Holy Spirit in the same way the disciples did? Or to be so filled with joy that all burst out in praise of the Lord? Or to experience God’s love in a deep, intimate way? In fact, don’t just imagine it. Pray for it! “Come, Holy Spirit, and fill the hearts of your people!”7

Nicky Gumbel speaks about the Holy Spirit in a You Tube ( https://youtu.be/qsSc2qljZSU ) portion of the Alpha Course.

 

James Hanvey SJ, Secretary for the Service of the Faith for the Society of Jesus, comments that Covid-19 has exposed the fragilities and the illusions, the inequalities and the failures of our systems. It has also revealed the many faces of generosity; humble and heroic faces of service and self-sacrifice even to the point of death. Lives put at the service of others barely known except in their desperation and need. The forgotten, the aging, the disabled and marginalised, those who are exposed to violence whether domestic or state, those who have no ‘place to shelter’. Every day they appear in the statistics and in the news. But in Christ anonymous numbers become faces. In them He shows His face.

 Our work is to look upon the faces of sorrow and hope, and to make them even more visible. So that the faces to which we have become blind shine more urgently and radiantly. They are Christ’s testimony to us and to our world of another way of being: to see each other again through His eyes in compassion and in service; in communion beyond division. With simple faith we ask that the life of the Holy Spirit will carry us beyond the virus to the communion, the koinonia, in which we celebrate the sharing of our goods for the good of these vulnerable ones who have nothing to give us in return but their blessing.8

Friar Jude Winkler looks at the Jewish agricultural feast of Pentecost and the “fifties” wind in Jerusalem. Paul confronted Gnostic rejection of the material in the relationship between the Spirit and the Body of Christ. Friar Jude reminds us of the connection in the Gospel between receiving the Holy Spirit and renewing Creation.

 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that unity is not the same as uniformity. Unity, in fact, is the reconciliation of differences, and those differences must be maintained. We must actually distinguish things and separate them, usually at a cost to ourselves, before we can spiritually unite them (Ephesians 2:14‒16). Perhaps if we had made that simple distinction between uniformity and true unity, many of our problems, especially those of overemphasized, separate identities, could have been overcome. The great wisdom of Pentecost is the recognition through the Spirit of an underlying unity amidst the many differences!

 

What has been “unveiled,” especially this past year with the pandemic, is that we really are one. We are one in both suffering and resurrection. Jesus’ final prayer is that we can consciously perceive and live this radical union now (John 17:21‒26). Our job is not to discover or even prove this, but only to retrieve what has already been discovered—and rediscovered—again and again, by the mystics, prophets, and saints of all religions. Until then we are all lost in separation—while grace and necessary suffering gradually “fill in every valley and level every mountain” to make a “straight highway to God” (Isaiah 40:3–4).9

We pray today “Come Holy Spirit and fill the hearts of your faithful.”

 

References

 

1	(n.d.). Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. Retrieved May 23, 2021, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/2
2	(n.d.). Psalms, PSALM 104 | USCCB. Retrieved May 23, 2021, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/104
3	(n.d.). 1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. Retrieved May 23, 2021, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/12
4	(n.d.). John, CHAPTER 20 | USCCB. Retrieved May 23, 2021, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/20
5	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - Online Ministries - Creighton University. Retrieved May 23, 2021, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/052321.html
6	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 23, 2021, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/
7	(n.d.). Pentecost (Solemnity) - The Word Among Us. Retrieved May 23, 2021, from https://wau.org/meditations/2021/05/23/189209/
8	(2020, May 28). In times of darkness | Thinking Faith: The online journal of the .... Retrieved May 23, 2021, from https://www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/times-darkness
9	(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archive: 2021 - Daily Meditations Archives .... Retrieved May 23, 2021, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/2021/

When I am in trouble

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today touch on the theme of where we receive help when we are in trouble.

BP the retreat for Mom and Dad

Faith in Providence and the experience of the efforts of loving parents aid in our contemplation of this spiritual question. Today, as the anniversary of Mom's death in 2008, makes this is a particularly appropriate mediation for me.

The reading from the Book of Esther shares her prayer for strength to save her people.

 Then she prayed to the Lord, the God of Israel, saying: “My Lord, you alone are our King. Help me, who am alone and have no help but you,1

In Psalm 138 thanksgiving and praise are due to God for Providential care.

 * [Psalm 138] A thanksgiving to God, who came to the rescue of the psalmist. Divine rescue was not the result of the psalmist’s virtues but of God’s loving fidelity (Ps 138:1–3). The act is not a private transaction but a public act that stirs the surrounding nations to praise God’s greatness and care for the people (Ps 138:4–6). The psalmist, having experienced salvation, trusts that God will always be there in moments of danger (Ps 138:7–8).2

In the Gospel from Matthew, Jesus directs us to ask, search, and knock in our requests to the Father prior to reminding us of the Golden Rule.

 * [7:12] See Lk 6:31. This saying, known since the eighteenth century as the “Golden Rule,” is found in both positive and negative form in pagan and Jewish sources, both earlier and later than the gospel. This is the law and the prophets is an addition probably due to the evangelist.3

Maureen McCann Waldron comments that when speaking of this gospel Pope Francis noted, “That’s an almost incredible guarantee that our prayers will always be heard.” But, Francis continued, “He doesn’t tell us ‘Ask and you’ll get whatever you ask for.’ He instructs us to seek but he doesn’t tell us exactly what we’ll find. He tells us to knock but he doesn’t say what will be waiting for us on the other side of the opened door. But he promises us that our prayers will be heard and God will respond.”

 So, while we don’t know how our prayers will be answered, we do know they will be heard. Our faith tells us that God is really listening to us.  And this might be the year to reframe the season of Lent, from one of “giving up something” to one of asking God what gift he wants to give us this Lent.
Instead of a focus on what I am doing for Lent, we can open our hearts to God and listen to what gift, what healing God offers us this Lent.  Instead of giving up chocolate, maybe this Lent I can pray every morning for just a few minutes to be softer and kinder to my husband. I am, usually, but sometimes I hear a sharpness in my voice that I never want to have when I talk with him.  My desire is to pray this Lent to take that edge out of my voice and to remember how much I have loved him over our many years of marriage.4

A presentation from the Alpha Course with founder Nicky Gumbel Identifies the deep nature of our relationship with Christ in faith and through the Spirit. (listen from 10:00 20:00).

Don Schwager quotes “The gift of being good,” by Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

 "He who has given us the gift of being gives us also the gift of being good. He gives to those who have turned back to Him. He even sought them out before they were converted and when they were far from his ways!" (Commentary on Psalm 103, 2)6

The Word Among Us Meditation on Psalm 138:1-3, 7-8 comments on what happens when we cry out to God? Well, we know God listens attentively to our pleas. “You have heard the words of my mouth,” the psalmist proclaims (138:1).

 But other times God answers by empowering us to be agents of the change we are praying for. This was Queen Esther’s experience… Is there a problem you are begging God to solve? Consider that he may be asking you to take a step to make things better. Let’s say the environment in your office or parish is marred by gossip. Is there a small step you could take, like changing the subject or making a positive comment? Ask the Lord to build up strength within you as he did for Esther. Who knows? You might find new enthusiasm or the desire to get involved. You might even come up with the first steps of a plan and the courage to take them.7

Friar Jude Winkler fleshes out the extreme difficulty facing Mordacai and Queen Esther in the passage from the Hebrew Testament. God is much more loving than a loving parent and like a loving parent God will give us what we truly need. Friar Jude reminds us to depend on the Providence of God.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, cites Russ Hudson and Don Richard Riso who write about Enneagram Threes that have a need to succeed that many people may find to be both blessing and curse in their lives.

 As children, Threes were not valued for themselves—as very few of us were. Instead, they were valued for being and doing certain things extremely well. They learned to get validation of their worth through achievement and performance. But it never really satisfied them because it was a validation not of them but of something they had done or something they tried to become. [2]
Threes draw their life energy from their successes. Threes are show-people, achievers, careerists, and status-seekers. They are more comfortable in their roles than they are with their True Self, which they scarcely know. They can slip into almost any mask and act the part to perfection because the roles they play protect and motivate them. For Threes, life is a competitive struggle and they want to be winners. Most Threes seem optimistic, youthful, intelligent, dynamic, and productive.8

The relationship we have with our parents may offer us, as in my case, the experience of love that is focused on what you need. Parental Love invites us to be open to that Love and transition to our True Self that has to power to perfect what our parents may have initiated as we journey to fullness of Life.

References

1	(n.d.). Esther, chapter 43 - United States Conference. Retrieved March 5, 2020, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/est/43:5
2	(n.d.). Psalms, chapter 138 - United States Conference. Retrieved March 5, 2020, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/138
3	(n.d.). Matthew, chapter 7 - United States Conference. Retrieved March 5, 2020, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/matthew/7
4	(n.d.). Daily Reflections - OnlineMinistries - Creighton University. Retrieved March 5, 2020, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
5	(2018, May 17). The Work of The Holy Spirit in Ministry Today (Nicky Gumbel .... Retrieved March 5, 2020, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbXnJ2--A8A
6	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved March 5, 2020, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
7	(n.d.). 1st Week of Lent - Mass Readings and Catholic Daily .... Retrieved March 5, 2020, from https://wau.org/meditations/2020/03/05/
8	(2020, March 5). The Need to Succeed - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved March 5, 2020, from https://cac.org/type-three-the-need-to-succeed-2020-03-05/

Seek the Way of the Spirit

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite contemplation of the character of our interaction with God as business contract, chutzpah, or fruit of the gift of the Spirit.

Two Ways

The Prophet Malachi emphasizes the Reward of the Faithful on the Great Day of the Lord underlying the need to serve God.

* [3:20] Wings: a common symbol of the manifestation of a god in the ancient Near East is the winged sun disk found, for example, on premonarchic jar handles. Cf. Nm 6:25; Ps 4:7; 31:17; 34:6; 84:12.1 

Psalm 1 views life as activity, as choosing between Two Ways, either the good or the bad.

* [Psalm 1] A preface to the whole Book of Psalms, contrasting with striking similes the destiny of the good and the wicked. The Psalm views life as activity, as choosing either the good or the bad. Each “way” brings its inevitable consequences. The wise through their good actions will experience rootedness and life, and the wicked, rootlessness and death.2 

The Gospel of Luke shares Jesus teaching on Prayer and Perseverance and the answer to our Prayer in the gift of the Holy Spirit.

 * [11:13] The holy Spirit: this is a Lucan editorial alteration of a traditional saying of Jesus (see Mt 7:11). Luke presents the gift of the holy Spirit as the response of the Father to the prayer of the Christian disciple.3

Barbara Dilly writes of a friend who wants to know how he can have everything he has and do everything he does and still have more. He does not want to give up anything, especially his ego and his will. What he really wants, however, is to feel like God blesses him and takes care of him. He wants to feel good about himself. That is what he thinks that she has that he doesn’t think is available to him. He doesn’t know that it is.

There is no room in these lessons for judgment against others.  Faith is itself a gift and some of us are just more open to the words of the Lord than others.  Being able to see everything in life as a gift, is itself a gift. These lessons remind us that the door to God’s blessings is always open to all who ask and who seek.  But some people need help to do that. It is my prayer that we the faithful live our lives in such a way that others see God’s love at work in blessings in our lives that are available to everyone.4

Jules Evans interviews Nicky Gumbel, founder of the Alpha Course who believes the Holy Spirit always answers our invocation, on encounters with the Holy Spirit.

If the fruit is that people are healed, set free, their lives changed, their family lives restored, if they love their neighbours more, if they transform their communities, if it leads to the abolition of the slave trade, that sounds like God.5 

Don Schwager quotes “Ask by praying, seek by proper living, knock by persevering,” by Bede the Venerable, 672-735 A.D.

"Desiring that we arrive at the joys of the heavenly kingdom, our Lord and Savior taught us to ask these joys of him and promised that he would give them to us if we asked for them. 'Ask,' he said, 'and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you.' Dearly beloved..., we earnestly and with our whole heart must ponder these words of our Lord. He bears witness that the kingdom of heaven is not given to, found by and opened to those who are idle and unoccupied but to those who ask for it, seek after it and knock at its gates. The gate of the kingdom must be asked for by praying. It must be sought after by living properly. It must be knocked at by persevering." (excerpt from HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 2.51.20)6 

The Word Among Us Meditation on Malachi 3:13-20 ponders that if God seemed to be blessing the wicked, they wondered, why should they bother following God’s laws (Malachi 3:14-15)? The people could ask that question only because they were looking at their relationship with God as if it were a business contract. They thought they could trade their obedience for his blessing.

So what can we count on in this life? We can’t count on immediate solutions to our problems and questions. But we can count on God’s love and his constant desire to draw us closer to him. As we hold fast to him, we will receive his love—the greatest “profit” of all (Malachi 3:14).7 

Friar Jude Winkler identifies Malachi as a messenger warning against those who believe God has nothing to do with the world. God experienced as a parent offering the gift of the Holy Spirit that we really need. Friar Jude suggests chutzpah and pushiness in our prayer supports a real dialogue, not simply a wish list.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that the connection that Francis of Assisi made with “the enemy” in his lifetime may be his most powerful statement to the world about putting together the inner life with the outer, and all of the resulting social, political, and ethnic implications.

Francis left his own culture at “great cost” to himself to go to the Sultan, to enter the world of another—and one who was considered a public enemy of his world and religion. Francis seems to have tried three times, but only succeeded in getting to his goal on the third try. On this attempt, he went to Egypt primarily to tell the Christian troops that they were wrong in what they were doing.
Francis’ humility and respect for the other, and thus for Islam, gained him what seems to have been an extended time, maybe as much as three weeks, with al-Kamil. The Sultan sent him away with protection and a gift (a horn that was used for the Muslim call to prayer), which suggests they had given and received mutual regard and respect. This horn can still be seen in Assisi.8 

The many possible forms of relationship with God invite our acceptance of the Divine invitation to intimate connection as we journey in life.

References

1	(n.d.). Malachi, chapter 3 - United States Conference of Catholic .... Retrieved October 10, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/malachi/3
2	(n.d.). Psalms, chapter 1 - United States Conference of Catholic .... Retrieved October 10, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/1
3	(n.d.). Luke, chapter 11 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved October 10, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/luke/11
4	(n.d.). Daily Reflections - OnlineMinistries .... Retrieved October 10, 2019, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
5	(2015, November 5). Nicky Gumbel on encounters with the Holy Spirit .... Retrieved October 10, 2019, from https://www.philosophyforlife.org/blog/nicky-gumbel-on-encounters-with-the-holy-spirit
6	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 10, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
7	(n.d.). Meditations - The Word Among Us. Retrieved October 10, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/2019/10/10/
8	(2019, October 10). Francis and the Sultan — Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 10, 2019, from https://cac.org/francis-and-the-sultan-2019-10-10/