The key to overcoming our struggle with
the Spirit is remember, that every gift comes from the same Spirit. In other
words we all have a common origin, we all are gifted. The challenge is not, are
we the best, the brightest, the most powerful, the most important, the most well-known,
the strongest, the most gifted. The challenge is how do we give life to the
gifts we have? How do we speak and act so that when others hear and encounter
us they come to know the might acts of God?
St. Paul was very creative when he used
the image of the body to represent our relationship with God, our relationship
with Jesus. It is one body with all of us as members, as parts. All of us are necessary
for the body to work, to function, to have life, with each member, each part
valuable and important. Some members, some parts may stand out more than
others, but it is the sum of the parts working together take makes the body visible,
strong and life giving to others.
Yes, today we celebrate the gift of the
Holy Spirit in our lives. We celebrate being one of the many gifts of the
Spirit. We celebrate being a part of Christ’s body. We celebrate being a member
and hopefully like the disciples on the first Pentecost we give life to the
gifts of the Holy Spirit that we have received so that all will hear through us
in a language they understand the mighty acts of God.
My friends, peace be with you today and
always and receive the Holy Spirit, letting the Spirit fill your hearts and
bring to life the fire of God’s love within you!
Daily Prayer: Breathe in us,
O Holy Spirit, that our thoughts, our ideas, our words, may all be holy. Act in
us, O Holy Spirit, that our works, our labors, our actions, our living of life too,
may be holy. Embrace our hearts, O Holy Spirit, that we may love and be love in
a holy way. Strengthen us, O Holy Spirit, that our lives may represent all that
is life giving and holy. Protect us, O Holy Spirit, that we always may be your
gifts of hope and life in this world. Amen! (Adapted
for a Prayer to the Holy Spirit by Saint Augustine)
Runner’s Thought: Running is about
the physical, the mental and the emotional sides of our lives. It challenges us
in physical, mental and emotional ways. Will our bodies respond, will they hold
up, will they take get us back home or to the finish line? Will our minds let
us move beyond the pain and the struggle? Can we overcome the fear? Will we
give in to what seems easier? Yes, running is about the physical, the mental
and the emotional sides of our lives, however running is also about the spiritual.
It is about breathing in the breath of God, the Holy Spirit. Running is about
giving life to the gift of who God has created us to be!
Happy Pentecost everyone! I hope you are
having a good if not great Sunday. We are running through the rain drops here
in Pelham with the air once again a little on the cool side. I hope you are
able to enjoy this day especially with family and or friends. That it is a day
which will offer you some rest and relaxation so that you might enjoy the gifts
of the Holy Spirit within and around you!
I will leave you today with this thought
from Thomas Merton, “Love is the guarantee that the life of the Spirit is
growing in us. Love is the sign of the Holy Spirit at work in the Church and in
the world.” So love much today my friends! Peace in Christ’s Passion and Holy
in the Gifts of the Holy Spirit…Fr. Paul
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