THE SPIRIT OF ST. LOUIS a weekly bulletin & newsletter May 20, 2018 • Pentecost
When our Confirmation team prepares adults to receive the sacrament, we remind them that things will change after they receive the sacrament. The change isn’t magic or symbolic, it’s a graced change. It’s a change of relationship to Christ and his Church. When we’ve encountered Christ, chosen to follow Him, and been fully initiated into the Church, we can’t go back to life as it was. We can never be the same because we’ve received a new mission through the Holy Spirit. We are like the Apostles gathered together at Pentecost who receive the new mission of God. And make no mistake, God is doing something new in that room. Remember what happens? A great wind filled the room, like a cleansing breath. It’s the same wind that roared over the creation waters (Gen 1:2 ), the same breath of life God gives Adam and Eve (Gen 2:7). There is newness of life in this wind. Fire falls on the Apostles, a sign of God’s presence. He is present like he was during the Israelites’ Exodus (Ex 13:21); He’s inspiring awe among all as He did when Elijah called down fire to convert the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:38). The 1
same God who never abandons His people is with the Apostles in that room, filling all present with gifts they need to share Jesus with the world. The Holy Spirit sustains the evangelizing mission of the Church. We see that Peter is so inspired with the confidence and strength of the Spirit that He immediately proclaims Jesus to those present outside the house, and 3000 convert (Acts 2:14-41). Peter’s evangelization is our example. When we share what God has done in our lives with others it’s the same Holy Spirit from the scripture sustaining us and encouraging us. Hans urs von Balthasar calls the Holy Spirit the Great Revealer. Not only does the Spirit reveal God and Christ to the world, but the Spirit also reveals us to ourselves. Who has God created you to be, what gifts have you received from Him, and what is your mission? In the presence of the Great Revealer, you can come to know the specific ways you are called to make disciples of all nations. This is your mission, but don’t be afraid. God’s always with you.
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