Date: Sunday, May 01, 2016
As a boy I made the Sign of the Cross: “In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen” “Holy Ghost” identified the 3rd Person of the Blessed Trinity. “Ghost” is an English word meaning the spirit of a dead person who haunts or appears to the living. During the sixties, likely due to the renewal of the 2nd Vatican Council, we started praying & saying: “Holy Spirit.” “Spirit” is an English word, going back to the Latin and Greek words that translate the Hebrew word that means: “breath.” It is the very breath of God that hovers over the waters at creation, that inspires the prophets, that comes down upon Mary at the Annunciation, that is present in the form of a dove at the baptism of Jesus, and that Jesus promises to impart and send from the Father in our Gospel today.
At the Last Supper in the Gospel according to St. John Jesus, speaking of the Father, assures the disciples that “we will come and make our dwelling” with them. It is in and through the Holy Spirit that we experience the love of the Father and Son. Jesus promises that the Father will send the Holy Spirit as the “Advocate” to teach them and remind them of all that Jesus had told them, to calm their fears and instill peace. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit is not a once for all event at Pentecost but a continuing presence in the Church. The Holy Spirit is active in the early Church to resolve conflict when there is “no little dissension and debate.” The Holy Spirit inspires John with a vision of the “Holy City of Jerusalem coming down out of the heavens from God.”
On this first day of May as we enjoy the fragrance and color of Spring flowers, we can consciously “breathe” in the Holy Spirit for discernment to pinpoint areas in our lives where we need divine assistance to face the challenges of living the Gospel of Jesus. May the Spirit of God instill/activate those special gifts like patience, courage, forgiveness and gentleness that are needed to continue the ministry of Jesus and create a culture of life.
Be energized in the way of Christ!