The gift of Pentecost—the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the spiritual gifts and blessings of God—are made possible through the death, resurrection, and ascension of the Lord Jesus. After his resurrection Jesus “breathed” on his disciples and gave them the Holy Spirit. Just as God breathed life into Adam, so the gift of the Holy Spirit is an impartation of “new life” for his people. With the gift of the Holy Spirit a new creation begins. God recreates us for his glory. Jesus’ gift of peace to his disciples was more than an absence of trouble. His peace included the forgiveness of sins and the fullness of everything good.

Just as Jesus was anointed with the Spirit at the beginning of his ministry, so the disciples needed the anointing of the Holy Spirit to carry out the mission entrusted to them by Jesus. The Holy Spirit is given to all who are baptized into Jesus Christ to enable us to live a new way of life—a life of love, peace, joy, and righteousness. The Holy Spirit fills our hearts with the love of God and enables us to grow in spiritual freedom—freedom from doubt, fear, and from slavery to our unruly desires. The Spirit instructs us in the ways of God and guides us in living according to God’s will. The Spirit is the source and giver of all holiness. Isaiah the prophet foretold the seven-fold gifts of the Spirit that would give to us wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2).

We shall thank Jesus for sending us the Spirit. We pray to the Good Lord to always make right decisions at the right time through the help of the Holy Spirit. And may our decisions be good for us and for others as well. Let us pray together every day for the Holy Spirit: “Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle 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. O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.”

Love and Prayers

Fr. Charley