The Feast of Pentecost

Today is the Feast of Pentecost. For most of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, this was just another day; for the Apostles it was the beginning of a completely new way of life. What will it be for you? 

Acts 2:1-11 

When Pentecost day came round, they had all met in one room, when suddenly they heard what sounded like a powerful wind from heaven, the noise of which filled the entire house in which they were sitting; and something appeared to them that seemed like tongues of fire; these separated and came to rest on the head of each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak foreign languages as the Spirit gave them the gift of speech.

Acts 1:14 tells us the Apostles gathered around Mary for 9 days of prayer before the Holy Spirit came upon them powerfully at Pentecost. If we want the Holy Spirit to act in our lives as the Spirit did in those of the Apostles then we must imitate their example; gather around Mary every day and spend more intense time in prayer to be prepared to receive the strength and graces of the Holy Spirit with docility and readiness to act. 

Acts 2:14

Acts 2:14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven and addressed them in a loud voice… 'Men of Israel, listen to what I am going to say: Jesus the Nazarene was a man commended to you by God by the miracles and portents and signs that God worked through him when he was among you, as you all know…You killed him…but God raised this man Jesus to life, and all of us are witnesses to that…Hearing this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the apostles, 'What must we do, brothers?'

After receiving an increase of the Holy Spirit Peter goes way beyond his comfort zone, stands up and does something he has never done before. Remember, this is the same Peter who denied he even knew Jesus when Jesus was on trial. Now look at him. We pray not to be more timid but to be more bold.  Be willing to step out of your comfort zone, out of your routines and invite to conversion. How so? Share this podcast with someone by text or email. Just say, “Hey, I found this interesting and thought you might like it. Then follow up with them. Ask if they listen and prayed and what they thought. Why pray for an increase of the Spirit unless you are willing to step up and step out? 

Acts 2:38

Acts 2:38 'You must repent,' Peter answered 'and every one of you must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise that was made is for you and your children, and for all those who are far away, for all those whom the Lord our God will call to himself.' He spoke to them for a long time using many arguments, and he urged them, 'Save yourselves from this perverse generation'. They were convinced by his arguments, and they accepted what he said and were baptized. That very day about three thousand were added to their number.

If we step out of our comfort zone conversions will come - but we should apply Peters words to ourselves first, be more deeply converted yourself. How? We should be more intentional about a daily resolution that flows out of your time in prayer, a daily examination of conscious and frequent confession. An example of an examination and resolution might be that someone has the bad habit of being quick to criticize others. Admit it and make the resolution to stop that and replace it with a positive thought about others and refusing to speak badly about them. Bring it to confession. 

Acts 2:42

Acts 2:42 These remained faithful to the teaching of the apostles, to friendship, to the breaking of bread (the first title for the Mass). The many miracles and signs worked through the apostles made a deep impression on everyone…They went as a body to the Temple every day but met in their houses for the breaking of bread; they shared their food gladly and generously; they praised God and were looked up to by everyone. Day by day the Lord added to their community those destined to be saved.

If you commit to living a simple way of life, friendship good conversation and the Rosary and inviting others into it, then you also will see conversions…but it begins with friendship and good conversation doesn’t it?

Why the Rosary?

Why always this emphasis on the Rosary? St Maximilian Kolbe saw clearly that if we want the Holy Spirit to act in our lives then we should turn to Mary – for the Holy Spirit works through her.  

The Third Person of the Blessed Trinity never took flesh; still our human word "spouse" is far too weak to express the reality of the relationship between the Immaculata and the Holy Spirit. We can affirm that she is, in a certain sense, the "incarnation" of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that we love in her; and through her we love the Son. The Holy Spirit is for too little known.

On July 28, 1935 Kolbe wrote (p. 473-474 Foster)

The union between the Holy Spirit and the Immaculata is so inexpressibly perfect that He conducts His activity through her only. Therefore, she is the mediatrix of all graces flowing from the Holy Spirit…In honoring the Immaculata, we honor in a special way the Holy Spirit.

Since the Holy Spirit and Mary act as one, the more we belong to Mary, the more we can be led by the Spirit. That is why tomorrow, the day immediately after Pentecost is the Feast of Mary, Mother of the Church, to show the significant connection between the Holy Spirit and Mary.