Reflection for Sunday 05/11/08
READINGS
First Reading: Acts 2:1-11
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13
Gospel: John 20-19-23
REFLECTION:
In the Acts of the Apostles we read a vivid description of the arrival of the Holy Spirit. The apostles heard “… a noise like a strong driving wind…“ and then “… there appeared to them tongues as of fire…“ In his gospel John describes how the risen Jesus came into the midst of the frightened apostles, wished them peace, and then “… breathed on them and said to them ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’ “ The first event was dramatic, loud, full of action. The second calm, quiet, peaceful. But both marked the coming of the Holy Spirit empowering the disciples to continue Jesus’ work. We know that we, too, are charged with continuing Jesus’ ministry but sometimes don’t we feel inadequate to the task? We aren’t sure we know how to share the good news. We know we need help, just as the apostles did, but we may not trust that the Holy Spirit will come to us. These two stories, however, assure us that the Holy Spirit will come when we need his gifts. The Spirit may come dramatically or quietly - however we will welcome him - but the Holy Spirit will come.
1. What important work does Jesus ask of you at this time in your life?
2. How would Jesus want you to treat your friends and family this week?
PRAYER:
Come Holy Spirit, enrich me with your gifts so that I may more effectively share the good news of salvation through my words and my actions. Amen