A Pentecost Sunday Though About the Holy Spirit
It's Pentecost. The Holy Spirit "descended" on the room filled with disciples 10 days after Our Lord's Ascension. If there was any question in the Apostle's mind what Jesus wanted of them after His Ascension, they "got it" on Pentecost when the Spirit pulled together all those "pieces" of Jesus's teaching, forming a coherent picture, as well as putting that "flame" in their hearts for which we pray:
And so those Apostles, the first bishops, and their charges did renew the face of the earth. Now, so many years later, the task falls to all of us. We must renew the face of the earth, starting in our own lives.
To help us in our daily efforts, we call on the Holy Spirit, that most "mysterious" Person of the Blessed Trinity. Most of us don't have the same devotion to Him as we do to Father and Son. But now's our chance to increase that devotion. Perhaps the "Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit" that we prayed during the Novena to the Holy Spirit in the nine days leading up to Pentecost will help to increase our devotion:
The Holy Spirit has special gifts for us. Here the prayer from that same Novena begging Him for His Seven Gifts
A final aid in our prayers today: the ancient and most beautiful chant "Veni Creator Spiritus." Perhaps the oldest of all the chants in the treasury of our Holy Church, here we present a beautifully produced version - two version actually - from the SCHOLA GREGORIANA MEDIOLANENSIS, Dir. Giovanni Vianini, Milano, Italia:
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful,
And enkindle in them the fire of Thy Love
Send for Thy Spirit and they shall be created
And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
And enkindle in them the fire of Thy Love
Send for Thy Spirit and they shall be created
And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
And so those Apostles, the first bishops, and their charges did renew the face of the earth. Now, so many years later, the task falls to all of us. We must renew the face of the earth, starting in our own lives.
To help us in our daily efforts, we call on the Holy Spirit, that most "mysterious" Person of the Blessed Trinity. Most of us don't have the same devotion to Him as we do to Father and Son. But now's our chance to increase that devotion. Perhaps the "Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit" that we prayed during the Novena to the Holy Spirit in the nine days leading up to Pentecost will help to increase our devotion:
ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
On my knees before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses I offer myself, soul andAmen.
body, to You, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Your purity, the unerring
keenness of Your justice and the might of Your love. You are the Strength and Light of
my soul. In You I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve You by unfaithfulness
to grace and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against You.
Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Your light
and listen to Your voice and follow Your gracious inspirations. I cling to You and give
myself to You and ask You by Your compassion to watch over me in my weakness.
Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds and trusting in His
Precious Blood and adoring his opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore You,
Adorable Spirit, Helper of my infirmity, so to keep me in Your grace that I may never
sin against You. Give me grace, O Holy Ghost, Spirit of the Father and the Son to say
to You always and everywhere, "Speak, Lord, for Your servant heareth."
The Holy Spirit has special gifts for us. Here the prayer from that same Novena begging Him for His Seven Gifts
PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRITWe may not be able to grasp exactly Who is this Holy Spirit with our intellect. After all, our fallen human nature struggles beyond a certain point to grasp the fullness of Truth. But so did the Apostles, until the Holy Spirit descended upon them. That's why we celebrate Pentecost with such joy every year. And now we can pray that the Holy Spirit will descend upon us.
Christ Jesus, before ascending into heaven, You promised to send the Holy Spirit to
Your apostles and disciples.
Grant that the same Spirit may perfect in our lives the work of Your grace and love.
Grant us the Spirit of Fear Of The Lord that we may be filled with a loving reverence
toward You.
the Spirit of Piety that we may find peace and fulfillment in the service of God while
serving others;
the Spirit of Fortitude that we may bear our cross with You and, with courage,
overcome the obstacles that interfere with our salvation;
the Spirit of Knowledge that we may know You and know ourselves and grow in
holiness;
the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten our minds with the light of Your truth;
the Spirit of Counsel that we may choose the surest way of doing Your will, seeking
first the Kingdom;
Grant us the Spirit of Wisdom that we may aspire to the things that last forever;
Teach us to be Your faithful disciples and animate us in every way with Your Spirit.
Amen.
A final aid in our prayers today: the ancient and most beautiful chant "Veni Creator Spiritus." Perhaps the oldest of all the chants in the treasury of our Holy Church, here we present a beautifully produced version - two version actually - from the SCHOLA GREGORIANA MEDIOLANENSIS, Dir. Giovanni Vianini, Milano, Italia:
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