Reflections
Psalm 104: 1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34 (Read)
“Lord, send out your Spirit.”
“If you take away their breath, they perish;
when you send forth your spirit, they are created.” Animated by the Spirit, the divine Breath, we who are His creatures sing of the glory of our Creator.
“When you send forth your Spirit, you renew
the face of the earth.” God is the source of all natural life. So also the Holy Spirit is the source
of all supernatural life. We are nothing without the divine Breath, “When you take away their breath, they perish and return to their dust.”
It is this same creative Breath which came down on the
disciples in that locked room that St Luke speaks of in
this Sunday's 1st reading. (Acts 2:1-4)
The Holy Spirit empowered the disciples to go forth
and proclaim the Gospel boldly to men of all nations,
speaking different tongues.
We too are called to be baptized in the Spirit, and
to receive the divine Breath of the Lord. Having been
baptized in the Spirit, we are a new creation, and are
called to glorify the Lord in what we do. In this way,
as the Psalm says, “May the Lord be glad in his works.”
Fortunately, for us too, the Spirit is manifested in
each of us for some benefit, as St. Paul reminds us
in our 2nd reading. (1 Corinthians 12:7)
All we have to do is accept Christ and believe in Him.
Then we too will have the gift of life.
Without the breath of God, we are nothing. Just as
the Holy Spirit empowered the disciples at Pentecost,
so too are we empowered by our Creator. The presence
of the Holy Spirit within us is how we share in the divinity
of Christ.
Without the breath of the Holy Spirit, we have no spiritual life.
But thanks to God's gift, we are a new creation, and we are
baptized into Christ. And that alone gives us reason
to praise God. As our psalmist says, “Pleasing to him be
my theme; I will be glad in the Lord.”
Amen
Discussion Questions for Reflection
1. Our Psalm reminds us that we are dependent on the Lord for our
very breath. Tell about what makes you aware of the 'divine Breath' in your life.
2. Our Sunday Psalm Response is, 'Lord, send out your Spirit and renew the
face of the earth.' Is the Holy Spirit doing a work in you? Are you a 'new creation?'
Speak about your baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Morning is a natural time to be aware of the divine breath in my life. Upon waking each day, I train myself to be grateful for the gift of life. In the physical, my lungs fill with air and I am conscious of the remarkable work that is my body. In the spiritual, I do my best to spend time in His presence before starting my day. His Word breathes new hope, stronger faith, and refreshed understanding into my heart.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, pausing and praying for the Holy Spirit to breathe into my day is precious to me. I depend on such practices to feel His peace but also His power at work in my life, no matter what my circumstance.
God is the source of all natural life. The earth is full of His creatures. I often observe the natural surroundings. I thank God for His creation, seeing each one as God's unique creation, knowing that God has breathed the Spirit into them.
ReplyDeleteWe are physically alive because of His gift of Life. So am I alive. But on the other hand, the Holy Spirit is the source of all supernatural life. We all are called to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. All we have to do is to accept Jesus Christ and believe in Him as our personal savior. We all become a new creation in Him. We are spiritually renewed. We are born again and empowered by Our Lord.
Without the breath of Holy Spirit, I have no spiritual life. And also without the help of Him, I am unable to bear the fruits of the Spirit. The Spirit within me guides me to be holy. That's why He deserves the praise of all people. Praise the Lord, O my soul.