I must say, I am looking forward to Pentecost Sunday this year more than ever. I need the Holy Spirit to life me and encourage me. These past few weeks since returning from our Holy Land Pilgrimage , the attacks of the evil one have been frequent and intense. I must confess that I’m feeling oppressed and it’s tiring both spiritually and physically. But, I also know that this is a sign that our Pilgrimage was truly life altering so the battle is on. Hence, I pray Holy Spirit come and enkindle that fire of love and protection. prayers that all here on MOG have a holy and spiritually helpful Pentecost.
Discalced Carmelite, Matthew McGettrick, used to start each class with, “Come to us Holy Spirit as You came to the apostles. Open our minds that we may see the hidden things of God. Send love into our hearts like a flame of fire, that our lives may be changed by the Power of Your Spirit, to do God’s work on earth and bring people with us to heaven.” He ended each class with: “May the grace we have received sink deep in our hearts, bear fruit in our lives , and keep us always in thanksgiving, in praise of Your Name. Amen. i always get afraid when my back gets so sore I can hardly move. So thank you everyone on MoG for your prayers and love. I have been able to move around today with a marked reduction in pain. Deo Gratias.
Hi Terry…. I’m so technically challenged! I’ve tried to up.pad a few photos but system rejects saying they are too large. I will take advice on what I’m doing wrong. But in meantime, I will share via my words, 3 experiences that I had in Holy Land that were very moving … even life altering. It still causes me to stop and reflect First one was in Cana where my bride Alyce and I renewed our wedding vows (will be 37 years in July). We both were moved by Spirit to feel prescience of Our Lord and most especially His Blessed Mother. Her words to servant… Listen to Him ….. are still in my heart….. knowing the joy Christ brought that day to that couple helps me reflect and be joyful in our life even in face of hardships. Second one was at Church of Nativity as I walked down into cave and spot where Jesus was born. I was helping some elderly and handicapped folks down the narrow and steep steps so was a bit behind our group. As I was walking in , the priest behind me spontaneously and quietly read the gospel of Christ birth. As I walked down those steps and into that cave I heard the words and the Holy Spirit no doubt moved my heart to tears and my knees became weak as I thought of (experienced) the humility that my God ..the Creator of all … humbled Himself to be born and born in poverty. My knees gave out… I fell prostrate on this spot sobbing..and kissing the marker (Bethlehem Star). I honestly cared less what I looked like …. It was and still is profound … a sign perhaps for me to work on my humility And Third was at Sea of Galilee at the Primacy of Peter Church.. it’s a beautiful place on shore of sea. It was very early… sun just up…. It’s the spot where Peter and disciples went after the Resurrection….if you recall Gospel… Peter was going back to what he knew … fishing. This despite being with Christ for 3 years and seeing him Resurrected. It was here Jesus again appeared asking him to cast his net again …. This time catching 153 fish. It’s also where Jesus asks him3x do you love me. It was explained again here by our priest that Jesus used the word “agape” for love…but Peter answered “philia “ meaning love as a brother. Christ wants it all (agape) but the 3rd time Christ asks with the word philia knowing that it’s all Peter can do at this moment. Of course, later Peter does love him fully and to death. Again, fir me this moment connected me with Peter…. I want to love the Lord in that agape way but I don’t. I reflect now often on this and like Peter, I hope and pray to get there. sorry for no photos and such a long post…. I’m so grateful and thankful that God allowed us to visit the area where He lived while on this earth.
The Church grants a plenary indulgence if this prayer is recited on January 1st or on the feast of Pentecost. Don't forget to recite it today! Come, Holy Spirit, Creator blest, and in our souls take up Thy rest; come with Thy grace and heavenly aid to fill the hearts which Thou hast made. O comforter, to Thee we cry, O heavenly gift of God Most High, O fount of life and fire of love, and sweet anointing from above. Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts are known; Thou, finger of God's hand we own; Thou, promise of the Father, Thou Who dost the tongue with power imbue. Kindle our sense from above, and make our hearts overflow with love; with patience firm and virtue high the weakness of our flesh supply. Far from us drive the foe we dread, and grant us Thy peace instead; so shall we not, with Thee for guide, turn from the path of life aside. Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow the Father and the Son to know; and Thee, through endless times confessed, of both the eternal Spirit blest. Now to the Father and the Son, Who rose from death, be glory given, with Thou, O Holy Comforter, henceforth by all in earth and heaven. Amen.
Thank you for the reminder. This brought back childhood memories of hearing the hymn, Come Holy Ghost. I haven’t heard this beautiful hymn in years, I miss it.
Thanks Jo M, I should say it is subject to the usual conditions: - Receive Holy Communion on the Feast Day . - Go to Confession (within 8 Days of the Feast Day) . - Have no attachment to sin. - Pray for the Intentions of the Pope one Our Father, and one Hail Mary.
The priest at Mass this morning told us a lovely story for Pentecost about how the Holy Spirit is the God of surprises, The Joker. During the Cold War Berlin was divided between the Communist East and the West. The Communists decided to build a huge telephonic tower to show their technological superiority over the West. However when it was built and the sun's rays of the towers glass it shone over the entire city as a huge shining Cross. The Communists of course tried to stop it but couldn't. So the huge bright Cross kept right on blazing until the Fall of Communism. Who says God doesn't have a senseOof humour?
How wonderful, miker. What can one say in response to such a privilege? O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!
This is so beautiful Miker; thanks for sharing! My husband and I reflect often on Jesus' choosing of the very imperfect but earnest Peter. That same earnestness is something I love very much in my husband. It's a quality God can work easily with, even without the person being aware...and I think that's part of why He chose Peter.
