Forty days after Easter Sunday our Lord ascended into heaven before the very eyes of His Apostles. Yet, before He departed from this world, He promised His followers that they would not be abandoned ~ that He would send the Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen them. Ten days after the Ascension, the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles and remained with them. This event marks the feast of Pentecost (which literally means “50 days”). These two events, the Ascension and Pentecost, mark the final stages of the Easter season.
The Holy Spirit, one of the Three Persons of the Most Blessed Trinity, has been present throughout history and has been generously given to those who believe in Jesus Christ. He has guided our Church for more than 2000 years. He empowered the writers of Sacred Scripture. He is present in every Sacrament. His gifts form us and allow us to use God’s gifts and grace to evangelize all peoples and to help them answer the call to holiness. We first encounter the Holy Spirit in a special way at Baptism. With the Holy Spirit, we receive the gifts of wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord (awe). St. Paul tells us of some of the Holy Spirit’s additional gifts such as healing, affecting of miracles, prophecy, discernment, and articulating the faith. If we are open, the Holy Spirit will transform us, and through us transform our world. In Confirmation, these gifts are strengthened and consecrated in us as we become soldiers for Christ in the world.
“Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.”
Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Fr. Wayne