Come, Holy Spirit

As we celebrate Pentecost on May 28th, three symbols can help us appreciate the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Scriptural account of the first Pentecost (in Acts 2:1-11) tells us that the coming of the Holy Spirit was signaled by the sound of a strong driving wind. Wind is invisible, like the Holy Spirit; we do not see the wind, but we see and feel its effects. The same is true of the Holy Spirit. Also, we could say that the wind was like the breath of God himself. (In fact, the Latin word for breath is spiritus.)

The Acts of the Apostles tell us that tongues of fire appeared and came to rest on each of the Apostles. Fire shows us the warmth of love and the light of faith; these are two important aspects of the life and work of the Holy Spirit in us.

Another symbol of the Holy Spirit is found in the Gospel accounts of the Baptism of Christ. They tell us that the Holy Spirit appeared over Christ in the form of a dove. The dove is a sign of peace; one of the clearest signs that we are being guided by the Holy Spirit is that we have true inner peace.

Today we rejoice in the many ways that the Spirit of God works in us and around us. May all we do be guided by the Holy Spirit!

Gratefully Yours,

The Original Novena

This weekend we celebrate Mother’s Day. It is a day to think of our mothers and all others who fulfill a nurturing role in our lives. Whether they are still in this world or already in the next, we pray that God may reward them for making his love present in so many special ways. Please join me in praying for all mothers (and others who play a nurturing role), using the words of the Church’s Book of Blessings:

A novena is typically a nine-day period during which prayers are said each day for a particular intention. Where did the idea of praying for nine days come from? Well, in the Acts of the Apostles St. Luke tells us that the Risen Lord remained on earth for forty days (Acts 1:3); and we know that Pentecost was fifty days after Easter. This leaves an interval of nine days from the Ascension of Jesus until the vigil of Pentecost. And what did the disciples do during those nine days? They “devoted themselves with one accord to prayer.” (Acts 1:14) That was the first Christian novena.

I tell you this now so that you may imitate the disciples and prepare for the feast of Pentecost by praying a novena. If you start on May 18 (which is celebrated as Ascension Thursday in many places), you will finish the novena on May 27, the day before Pentecost. What a great way to prepare for the coming of the Holy Spirit! Certainly we can see the need for the Holy Spirit in our lives, in our community, and in our world. Praying a novena before the feast of his coming is a way to unite ourselves with Christians of all times and places, going all the way back to that first novena prayed in preparation for the first Pentecost.

What prayers should you say during your novena? There are numerous sites on the internet, and numerous apps that contain novena prayers for the coming of the Holy Spirit; or perhaps (like me) you have a prayer book that contains such novena prayers. However you choose to do it, let’s all pray that the Holy Spirit may come with his seven gifts and all the graces we need to be truly united to Jesus Christ.

Gratefully Yours,

Honoring Our Mothers

This weekend we celebrate Mother’s Day. It is a day to think of our mothers and all others who fulfill a nurturing role in our lives. Whether they are still in this world or already in the next, we pray that God may reward them for making his love present in so many special ways. Please join me in praying for all mothers (and others who play a nurturing role), using the words of the Church’s Book of Blessings:

Loving God,

as a mother gives life and nourishment to her children,

so you watch over your Church.

Bless these women,

that they may be strengthened as Christian mothers.

Let the example of their faith and love shine forth.

Grant that we, their sons and daughters,

may honor them always

with a spirit of profound respect.

Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

May God bless all our mothers on their special day and always!

Gratefully Yours,