Reflection

In our liturgical year we are fast approaching the Feast of Pentecost.  Throughout the Easter Season the Church reads through the Acts of the Apostles, which is the second volume of Luke’s Gospel.  In this book, we see very clearly the Apostles of Jesus being transformed from fumbling, scared, cowards at the end of the Gospel who are running and hiding, fearing for their safety to amazing missionaries with incredible faith, courage and strength and who are able to perform miracles and go out boldly to proclaim the Gospel to the Nations.

The question is what happened to them that led to this change and transformation?  We would assume that being witness to the Risen Lord, seeing and encountering Him would have had a profound impact on them.  In addition to this (as we read in Acts Chapter 2), they receive the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The Holy Spirit is in a big way behind their transformation.  The Holy Spirit guides them in their faith, gives them the strength and power to be able to go out boldly to proclaim that Jesus is risen from the dead.  The Holy Spirit works with them when they are in prison.  As hard as they try the opponents of the Apostles cannot stop the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit sets their hearts ablaze to proclaim the Gospel to the nations and to continue the mission of Jesus.

As we look forward to Pentecost Sunday, we pray asking the Heavenly Father to help us to open our hearts so we can be ready and open to receiving the Holy Spirit in a new and beautiful way at this feast.  The Holy Spirit wants to come into our hearts also in new and beautiful ways, to set us ablaze so as we can be missionaries and ministers of God’s love and mercy in the world.

The traditional prayer to the Holy Spirit reads:

‘Come Holy Spirit,

Fill the hearts of your faithful

And enkindle in them the fire of Your love’

I encourage you to pray this prayer daily and spend some time in silence after You this prayer inviting the Holy Spirit into your heart and life.

Holy Family of Nazareth – Be our inspiration and our guide

Jesus of Nazareth – Help us to grow in faith, wisdom and knowledge