The Spirit of the Lord has filled the whole world and that which contains all things understands what is said, alleluia.
(Wisdom 1.7)
infused with the Holy Spirit immediately left their fear behind and boldly went out preaching the Gospel.
“Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem. At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language.” (cf. Acts 2:1-11)
This first outpouring continued down through the ages, just as Jesus had promised. The Book of Acts records at least seven times that the apostles were “filled” with the Spirit (Acts 2:4; 4:8, 31:8; 7:55; 13:9, 52)
The Holy Spirit within each of us empowers us to welcome and proclaim to the whole world that God’s Spirit of love as alive and well. God’s Spirit needs us to set fire to the world, just as Marie Rivier’s zeal and ardent love did in her own time and continues to burn in us.
Once again, we embark on a summer journey in the shadow of the Covid-19 Pandemic. It is especially important that we remain open to the amazing gifts of the Spirit: “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit… To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, and were all given to drink of one Spirit. (cf. 1 Cor. 12:3b-7, 12-13)
The Holy Spirit gifts each of us with talents that can contribute to a serene end to this pandemic. May we be open to our gifts and pray the Spirit ardently to help us and the whole world experience peace, compassion, love and patience. We need all the help we can get!
They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke of the marvels of God. (Acts 2.4, 11)