Today, as we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost, the Church gives us Luke’s account of the coming of the Holy Spirit on the gathered apostles and disciples for our reflection.

    What is it we do when we celebrate?  As a faith community we remember God’s gift of the Holy Spirit to God’s people.  Liturgical Remembering—what we do at Mass— is not just bringing something to awareness.  It is this, but it is also a dynamic interactive activity.  When we remember, God repeats—does again and anew what God did at the first Pentecost two thousand years ago.

    When we gather in church it’s unlikely that we’ll hear a strong driving wind or see tongues of fire descending on our neighbor, but we can be assured that the Spirit is coming again into our lives in the ways we need.

    How do we respond?   Perhaps the most adequate way is to take some time to enter our “quiet space” and reflect on the multiple ways that the Spirit is gifting us with his presence.  Below are seven short videos (approximately three minutes each) which can refresh our understanding.  In less that a half hour we can deepen our appreciation of the Spirit, another of the many ways God is present to us, accompanying us on the journey.

    When we leave Mass today, we’ll receive a “gift of the Spirit.”  You might want to keep it in a special place as a reminder.  Happy Feast of Pentecost!

• Wisdom
• Understanding
• Knowledge
• Counsel
• Piety (reverence)
• Fortitude
• Fear of the Lord