Reflections
“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.
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 --
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 first reading. (Acts 2:1-4)
The Holy Spirit empowered the disciples to
go forth and proclaim the Gospel boldly
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,
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 Sunday's second reading.
reminds us in Sunday's second 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.
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.
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.
Brother Barry, thank you for your friendship and your words of wisdom. This is not an easy time for our family, but with the help and support of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we will grow from this crisis.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless you.
Lord, send out your Spirit.
ReplyDeleteOur every breath depends on the Spirit He has breathed into us. The Holy Spirit is the source of all supernatural life, while God is the source of all natural life. We are nothing; we will end up perishing without the divine breath. As a consequence physically we will return to dust.
But If we have received the Holy Spirit, He empowers us to be a new creation. And He helps me to proclaim the Gospel boldly to unbelievers around me. I am called to be baptized in the Spirit and to receive the divine breath of the Lord. In that way I am transformed by being led by the Holy Spirit.
Since my baptism in the Holy Spirit, I have become more sensitive toward my sins. He gives me new vision, new perspective for my life. My life style has changed. I have a more praising spirit within me and am more appreciative of God’s provision.
I used to be a complainer. God has turned me around to be a better person, less complaining, less irritable, more patient toward others. I have learned to see each one as God’s unique creation. And also now I realize each person has their own special talents, gifts, and abilities that are provided by the Holy Spirit in order to serve God. I have more insight now.
I also know that God has supreme and unlimited power over us. He preserves and handles my life. The Spirit is within me. That is the reason I give praise to God. Praise the Lord, O my soul!