Pentecost Reflections

As we prepare for Pentecost, we have brief reflections for 50 days, starting from Easter Sunday leading to Pentecost. We pray that over these 50 days you grow in a strong relationship with the Holy Spirit, and pray for the unity in the body of Christ. Thank you to all those who contributed reflections.

Please remember to pray one ‘Our Father’ for us and all our contributors and for the children of God everywhere.

Day 1: Promise of the Father

Luke 24:49 (RSV) And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high.

Mathew 7:11 (RSV) If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! 

John 10:10 I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

Since time immemorial, in the Old Testament, The Father had promised that there will be a time where He will dwell with us (book of the prophet Joel). And we will live with the experience of knowing Him and walking with Him. A life in which the law is lovely written in our hearts and not in tablets of stone. Jesus, Son of God, second person of the Trinity, came voluntarily not only to die for our sins and be our Savior. He certainly is our Savior, but He also came to ransom us for a better life, a life in the Spirit. We the people who belong to Him.

Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, That my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, That my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, That I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, To defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, That I always may be holy – St Augustine of Hippo

Do I have any areas in my life where I cannot improve? Perhaps I am not aware that I need to improve? Where did I miss the mark?

Let us acknowledge this, we all miss the mark in some areas and are incapable of addressing it. That’s why we need the Savior: Jesus. He died for us so that the Holy Spirit can dwell in us and transform these areas little by little, like the rising of the tide, first, imperceptible, but then clearly noticeable.

What are those areas where I need the Holy Spirit to grow in me? Perhaps a lack of interest in Christian Unity? A relationship with a friend, or loved one? Or perhaps a tendency to get into trouble at work? The Holy Spirit is there to do the work with us.

Prayer: Holy Spirit You are the giver of life. My Lord Jesus Christ has died for me. Holy Spirit, make me Your dwelling place.  The Father sent You Holy Spirit to renew all that I am. Show me the place in my spiritual house where You want to work! Come to me, dwell in me, and remake me. Heal me from my wounds and grant me the means to follow Jesus more truthfully and to live in His beauty and goodness. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen. 

• Litany of the Holy Spirit
• 500 Praises to the Holy Spirit (Pray a few of them as you can)

Contributed by: Gerardo Diaz, Beacon of Joy Covenant Community, attends HFK Parish