My dear friends,

People of God: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Saviour. At Pentecost we celebrate the giving of the Holy Spirit to God’s people, and related to it, the establishment of the new Israel, the Church. Jesus promised his disciples that the Holy Spirit would help them remember what he had been teaching them: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, piety, and the fear of God (John 4:26).

Now before these gifts were given to the Apostles, they were weak and ignorant men, hiding themselves for fear of the Jews. Then the Holy Spirit descended upon them and transformed them into fearless soldiers for the Kingdom of God. The first gift of the Holy Spirit, wisdom, allowed the Apostles to appreciate and value the things of God. They were no longer concerned with the pleasures of this world. They were no longer occupied exclusively with the care of their bodies, and the desire to rise in the world. Their passion now was to watch and pray with Jesus.

Today we too must ask ourselves, “Why are we without the gift of wisdom?” Can we honestly say that we are not cold and indifferent in spiritual things: exercises of reverence, humility, and penance? As Christians we should never make excuses for omitting such practices, while we are full of activity about worldly matters and all that concerns our temporal welfare. My brothers and sisters in Christ as we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit to humanity, let us examine ourselves honestly on our spiritual practices recommended by the Holy Spirit. In closing I leave this prayer with you, “Lord Jesus, I remember today how on the first Whitsunday your Spirit came in power to your disciples. I remember how your Spirit gave the disciples courage and wisdom and power. Give me your Spirit today, so that I too may be given the courage to face anything that may happen to me and not to be afraid; the wisdom to trust those who know best, and not to complain; the power to overcome my own weakness, and with your help to win my way back to health. Hear this my prayer for your love’s sake. Amen” (Prayer for Help and Healing).

The grace of our lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you always.

                                       Fr. Raliville Christian

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