Today, in a special prayer to the Holy Spirit, the
Church asks for her people, “Give them the joys that never
end.” Like any good parent, she wants us to have what will
make us truly happy. At Baptism and Confirmation, you
received the same Holy Spirit who descended upon the
apostles in the form of tongues of fire at the first Pentecost.
You too have been changed forever by the power of the Holy
Spirit.
Today, we celebrate and give thanks for the power of
the Holy Spirit! And we must never forget, the word
“Apostle” means “one who is sent.” As Christ’s Apostles in
today’s world, we are sent out on a ministry of loving service.
We are sent out into the world of trials and tribulations in
order to make a difference there. This is the means by which
our world, today, is drawn to Christ! We are the means by
which the world is drawn to Christ! In his book, “How To
Live Between Office Visits,” the widely read author, Dr.
Bernie Siegel, quotes from a participant in one of his
workshops:
“If you want to be happy for an hour, take a nap.
If you want to be happy for a day, go fishing.
If you want to be happy for a month. inherit a fortune.
If you want to be happy for a year, take a round-the-world
cruise.
If you want to be happy for a lifetime, do something good for
some else!”
It is important that we allow the Holy Spirit to breathe
new life into us so that God’s purpose may be fulfilled in us!
In the ups and downs of witnessing to the power of God at
work in Christ may our prayer be that our eyes might be
opened to give us a new vision. May we see and truly share in
Jesus the hope of heavenly glory.