Good News ReflectionFOR NEXT SUNDAY: May 31, 2009Pentecost Sunday, Cycle B
Parish bulletins, faith-sharing groups, RCIA: To distribute copies of this reflection, please order the professionally published bulletin insert from Catholic Digital Resources:http://catholicdr.com/calendar/May/Pentecost.htmAnd see these other hand-outs on the Holy Spirit:http://catholicdr.com/faithbuilders/Pentecost
Next Sunday's Readings (Mass during the Day):Acts 2:1-11Ps 104:1, 24, 29-31, 341 Cor 12:3-7, 12-13 or Gal 5:16-25John 20:19-23 or John 15:26-27; 16:12-15http://www.usccb.org/nab/053109b.shtmlAudio: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_05_31.mp3
The Holy Spirit is Christ's Spirit generously given to us so that we can be holy and to continue the ministry that Christ began. On our own, we cannot be like Jesus, but if his Spirit is alive and active within us, we have Christ's holiness, his faith, his supernatural love and peace, confidence and endurance, and everything else that we see in Jesus.
You received the Holy Spirit during your baptism. The reality of this was confirmed and strengthened in the Sacrament of Confirmation. Ever since the first out-pouring of the Spirit on Pentecost, God has been transforming the world by working through those who serve his Kingdom. He generously fills us with his Spirit so that we will succeed at whatever he asks us to do. But how well his holiness and power exudes from us is up to us.
Join me in this Prayer to the Holy Spirit:
Dear Jesus, stir up within me the fullness of Your Holy Spirit. Help me to live in Your holy power. Open my mind to understand Your truths, and open my heart to accept Your truths even before I gain right understanding.
O Holy Spirit, help me to seek, more than anything, the kingdom of God. Help me to recognize what I am attached to that is not of You, and give me the determination and the strength to let go. I want only You.
O Holy Spirit, help me to face my sinfulness and to feel genuine sorrow for the damage that I have caused. Comfort me as I mourn my need for forgiveness, and give me Your spirit of rejoicing over this new growth. Then, help me to share this healing mercy with all those around me.
Jesus commanded, "Go into all the world and preach the good news." Use my gifts and talents to make a difference. I have my own expectations about what I should and should not do. I now surrender to You my ideas, my limitations, my preferences, and my goals. I want to be useful to You. I want to go where You lead me. Holy Spirit, send me forth gifted and empowered to spread the holy and victorious love of Jesus Christ.
Come, Holy Spirit; renew me. Amen!
See this prayer in its full length athttp://wordbytes.org/prayers/HolySpirit.htmAnd also:The Novena to the Holy Spirithttp://wordbytes.org/prayers/HolySpirit-Novena.htmWho is the Holy Spirit?http://wordbytes.org/doctrine/HolySpirit.htm
Questions for Personal Reflection:Does the Holy Spirit seem like a Person to you, as real as Jesus? Why or why not? What affect does the "Prayer to the Holy Spirit" (above) have on you? What in it is most helpful to your spiritual growth?
Questions for Community Faith Sharing:How do you know when the Holy Spirit is being manifested in you? Give an example from your life. How did this experience help you grow in holiness?
STARTING ON MONDAY, if you're a member of the "Emmaus Journey" e-group, share your answers by writing to EmmausJourney@gnm.org* To join and become a member, go to: http://gogoodnews.net/GNMcommunities/EmmausJourney/
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