The Holy Spirit
I believe in the Holy Spirit.
Reading (Acts 2: 1-4)
On the day of Pentecost the disciples were all together in one place. Suddenly there came from the sky a sound like the rush of a strong wind, and it filled the house where they were gathered. Then tongues of fire appeared, which parted and came to rest on each of them. And they were filled with the Holy Spirit, and empowered by the Spirit, they began to speak in different languages.
Song (Joel 3: 1-5)
In the last days
I will pour out my Spirit on all mankind.
Your sons and daughters shall prophesy,
Your old men shall dream dreams,
Your young men shall see visions.
Even upon the servants and handmaids
In those days I will pour out my Spirit.I will work wonders in the heavens and on earth,
At the coming of the day of the Lord,
That great and terrible day.
Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord
Shall be saved.
Reflection
When Jesus completed his work on earth, he promised to send his Holy Spirit to remain with us for all ages. He made good on his promise at Pentecost, when his Spirit came upon the apostles. And so began the Church's ministry of proclaiming the good news of salvation to all the world.The Holy Spirit remains present and active in the world today, seeking hearts open to God. When we receive the Holy Spirit, the love of God is poured into our hearts, and we are empowered to live a sanctified life. We are no longer ordinary people, but are transformed into a new creation. And like the apostles we are emboldened to proclaim to the world the good news of salvation.
For most of us this proclamation comes not in a formal ministry of preaching and teaching, but in a ministry of action. We proclaim the good news by the way we live - at home, in the workplace, in our neighborhood, and in the larger community. All those whose lives we touch should see the holiness that is in us because of the Spirit who has been poured into our hearts and who has transformed our lives.
Prayer
God our Father, you gave us your Spirit as a sign of your unending love for us. You did not abandon us in this world, but gave us a share in your own life. Open our hearts to your Spirit present in the world, and empower us to live the life of grace that is a foretaste of eternal life.