“It is never a question of how much you and I have of the Spirit, but how much He has of us.”

Come, Holy Spirit. Spirit of truth, you are the reward of the saints, the comforter of souls, light in the darkness, riches to the poor, treasure to lovers, food for the hungry, comfort to those who are wandering; to sum up, you are the one in whom all treasures are contained. Come! As you descended upon Mary that the Word might become flesh, work in us through grace as you worked in her through nature and grace. Come! Food of every chaste thought, fountain of all mercy, sum of all purity. Come! Consume in us whatever prevents us from being consumed in you. - St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi: (1566 – 1607: was an Italian Carmelite nun and mystic)

Gospel Text: (JN 20:19-23)

On the evening of that first day of the week,

when the doors were locked, where the disciples were,

for fear of the Jews,

Jesus came and stood in their midst

and said to them, "Peace be with you."

When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.

The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you.

As the Father has sent me, so I send you."

And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,

"Receive the Holy Spirit.

Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them,

and whose sins you retain are retained."

After Jesus ascended, the disciples were confused and fearful as they gathered together.  Questions filled their minds:  what should they do now?  What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus?  Physically they were together in the same place, but their hearts and minds were all over the place!  They needed the Holy Spirit!

Jesus’ words came back to them:  “You will receive power from the Holy Spirit…you are to be witnesses, even to the end of the earth.”  And it happened!  The Spirit came upon them, and the great rush of “wind” and tongues of fire blew away their doubts and fears.  They stood together and in a variety of languages boldly proclaimed the Good News of Jesus and the mighty acts of God.  Christianity began to spread through the work of the Spirit in each of them…and, happily, faith in Jesus Christ is ours today.

And so from our hearts we pray:  Come Holy Spirit, fill our hearts and kindle within us the fire of your love!