Come Holy Spirit

From the Desk of Father David

Dear Parish Family and Friends,

             On this the Feast of Pentecost, we remember the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, receiving the Holy Spirit at our baptism and being sealed with the Holy Spirit at our Confirmation.  When we were sealed with the Holy Spirit we entered into a new relationship with God.  That is why we take on a new name, not legally but spiritually, our confirmation name.  In the Gospel of Luke 11:9-13, Jesus talks about God the Father wanting to give all good things to His children, especially the Holy Spirit.  The Spirit gives the fullness of life.  The more a person lives in God’s Spirit the more they experience love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.  These are the Fruits of the Holy Spirit found in Galatians 5:22.  To live in the Spirit, we need to avoid becoming anxious or worrying about the future.  We need to trust our lives into the loving hands of Jesus.  When we reflect upon the past, we can see all the ways Jesus has helped us, knowing He will continue to help us and give us peace.  Quieting our minds and hearts can help anchor us in the present moment and experience the presence of Jesus.

Mental prayer is another tool.  St. Teresa of Avila explains the concept well: “Mental prayer is nothing else than an intimate friendship, a frequent heart-to-heart (dialogue) with Him by whom we know ourselves to be loved.” I love this definition because it reminds us that the Lord really wants us to share what is on our hearts.  Start with a making an act of faith that God is with you.  Then use a passage from Scripture or something you are struggling with and start your dialogue with God.  Pay special attention to the ways God is tugging at your heart.  Sometimes the great fruit of this type of prayer comes outside of your prayer time.  Just always remember that He is there loving you.  Start with some five minute periods a day.   With our focus on Jesus, it will be easier to allow the Holy Spirit to guide our words and actions for the common good of others and away from becoming polarized in our thinking and dealings with others.

Together we pray, Come Holy Spirit and unleash Your sevenfold gifts of Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Right Judgement, Courage, Wonder and Awe and Reverence on us and the whole world.  May the Fruits of Your Holy Spirit flood our lives and flow out to all those we love and encounter.  Amen.

  Peace and healing,

Fr. David