What is it like to receive the Holy Spirit? Is the experience for most of us like it is described in the scriptures for the apostles in the upper room at Pentecost?

When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together and suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.     -Acts 2:1-4 NAB

Probably not. In fact I don’t know anybody who has had an experience quite so dramatic. I think that just as a great deal more energy is required to get a rocket off of the launch pad than it takes to keep it in orbit, the Holy Spirit manifested in the lives of believers much more obviously at the birth of the church than it does in the lives of most believers today. No less powerfully, but as a quieter strength, running deep in our hearts and minds.

So what is it like for today’s Christian? As we come to the closing days of Easter for this year and approach Pentecost it is good to reflect on this. Not only meditating upon what it is like to receive God’s Spirit but, how we embrace the gift and recognize what this gift calls us to be and do. A tall order indeed. Here is something that may help. Cyril of Jerusalem said this in the fourth century while reflecting on John 7:38 “The water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of living water, welling up into eternal life”

This is a new kind of water, a living, leaping water, welling up for those who are worthy. But why did Christ call the grace of the Spirit water? Because all things are dependent on water; plants and animals have their origin in water. Water comes down from heaven as rain, and although it is always the same in itself, it produces many different effects, one in the palm tree, another in the vine, and so on throughout the whole of creation. It does not come down, now as one thing, now as another, but while remaining essentially the same, it adapts itself to the needs of every creature that receives it.

In the same way the Holy Spirit, whose nature is always the same, simple and indivisible, apportions grace to each person as he wills. Like a dry tree which puts forth shoots when watered, the soul bears the fruit of holiness when repentance has made it worthy of receiving the Holy Spirit. Although the Spirit never changes, the effects of his action, by the will of God and in the name of Christ, are both many and marvelous.

The Spirit makes one person a teacher of divine truth, inspires another to prophesy, gives another the power of casting out devils, enables another to interpret holy Scripture. The Spirit strengthens one person’s self-control, shows another how to help the poor, teaches another to fast and lead a life of asceticism, makes another oblivious to the need of the body, trains another for martyrdom. His action is different in different people, but the Spirit himself is always the same. In each person, Scripture says, the Spirit reveals his presence in a particular way for the common good.

The Spirit comes gently and makes himself known by his fragrance. He is not felt as a burden, for he is light, very light. Rays of light and knowledge stream before him as he approaches. The Spirit comes with the tenderness of a true friend and protector to save, to heal, to teach, to counsel, to strengthen, to console. The Spirit comes to enlighten the mind first of the one who receives him, and then, through him, the minds of others as well.

As light strikes the eyes of one who comes out of darkness into the sunshine and enables that person to see clearly things he or she could not discern before, so light floods the soul of the one counted worthy of receiving the Holy Spirit and enables that person to see things beyond the range of human vision, things hitherto undreamed of.

by Cyril of Jerusalem (313-386 AD)

How does the Holy Spirit work in and through you? Do you pray daily for the Holy Spirit to open your mind and your heart?

Sometimes I see these threads on blogs or social media sites like Facebook where atheists and Christians will go toe to toe, slug it out, and by the strength of their intellect either subdue or convert the other to their way of thinking.  It is not usually a pretty sight.

I think that if anyone is to seriously consider these matters you must start with a fundamental question.  Is there such a thing as objective truth?  If you start with a belief that there is in fact such a thing as objective truth, then it is something that we can pursue the discovery of.   You might consider science or religion as possible avenues to take in your adventure of looking for truth.  On the other hand, if the starting point is the belief that any alleged truth is subjective, then since there is no truth to discover, you can believe whatever you want comfortably unchallenged by the possibility that you might be wrong.  If you don’t believe one way or another then.. well actually I don’t know what you do with that so I’ll leave it alone for the time being.

So which is it?

I fall into the “yes Virginia there is” such a thing as objective truth camp.    I believe for example, that the physical reality of moving vehicles is an objective truth.  It does not matter if I believe in them or not.  They exist independent of my belief.  Now, let’s say I lived a place where apartments and businesses are in tall buildings connected by great underground concourses filled with shops, banks, stores, medical clinics and I can get everything else I need there.  I could go about happily living my life disbelieving in moving vehicles.  But, if one day I leave my comfortable living area and decide to walk across a street, without bothering to wait for traffic because moving vehicles don’t exist, the objective truth could quite possibly and emphatically be revealed to me.  On the other hand, I might make my crossing unscathed and take that as proof positive that I was right all along.

Therein lies the problem with complete reliance upon our personal experience being the litmus test for truth.

How you fill in the blank will depend a great deal on where your life’s journey has taken you up to this point. Your answer will be much different if you are an atheist, a fundamentalist Christian, or a Catholic. Even if you are a Catholic, your answer will vary based on your experience and education, and whether or not you are a fan of the current edition of the Roman Missal. But, at the heart of the matter if you are a Catholic I hope your answer will, after some reflection, be something along the lines of this. The Catholic Mass is where we come together as a community of faith at the table of the Word and the Eucharist to enter into the sacred mysteries and celebrate all that we are and hope to be in the Christ of God, bringing the gifts of our lives to give, as we are empowered by and receive the gift of life itself, to go forth as the body of Christ to build the kingdom of heaven on earth.

This is my hope because although there have been changes in the details this is essentially what it has been from antiquity. Let me offer in support of my hope, these words from the first apology in defense of the Christians by Saint Justin, martyr. (Cap. 66-67: PB 6, 427-431)

No one may share the eucharist with us unless he believes that what we teach is true, unless he is washed in the regenerating waters of baptism for the remission of his sins, and unless he lives in accordance with the principles given us by Christ.

We do not consume the eucharistic bread and wine as if it were ordinary food and drink, for we have been taught that as Jesus Christ our Savior became a man of flesh and blood by the power of the Word of God, so also the food that our flesh and blood assimilates for its nourishment becomes the flesh and blood of the incarnate Jesus by the power of his own words contained in the prayer of thanksgiving.

The apostles, in their recollections, which are called gospels, handed down to us what Jesus commanded them to do. They tell us that he took bread, gave thanks and said: Do this in memory of me. This is my body. In the same way he took the cup, he gave thanks and said: This is my blood. The Lord gave this command to them alone. Ever since then we have constantly reminded one another of these things. The rich among us help the poor and we are always united. For all that we receive we praise the Creator of the universe through his Son Jesus Christ and through the Holy Spirit.

On Sunday we have a common assembly of all our members, whether they live in the city or the outlying districts. The recollections of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as there is time. When the reader has finished, the president of the assembly speaks to us; he urges everyone to imitate the examples of virtue we have heard in the readings. Then we all stand up together and pray.

On the conclusion of our prayer, bread and wine and water are brought forward. The president offers prayers and gives thanks to the best of his ability, and the people give assent by saying, “Amen.” The eucharist is distributed, everyone present communicates, and the deacons take it to those who are absent.

The wealthy, if they wish, may make a contribution, and they themselves decide the amount. The collection is placed in the custody of the president, who uses it to help the orphans and widows and all who for any reason are in distress, whether because they are sick, in prison, or away from home. In a word, he takes care of all who are in need.

We hold our common assembly on Sunday because it is the first day of the week, the day on which God put darkness and chaos to flight and created the world, and because on that same day our savior Jesus Christ rose from the dead. For he was crucified on Friday and on Sunday he appeared to his apostles and disciples and taught them the things that we have passed on for your consideration.

St Justin is one of the second century fathers of the church. According to NewAdvent.org he was born at Flavia Neapolis, about A.D. 100, converted to Christianity about A.D. 130, taught and defended the Christian religion in Asia Minor and at Rome, where he suffered martyrdom about the year 165. Two “Apologies” bearing his name and his “Dialogue with the Jew Tryphon” have come down to us. Leo XIII had a Mass and an Office composed in his honour and set his feast for 14 April.

Today I offer a reminder of why and how we continue our celebration of Easter from a discourse on the psalms by Saint Augustine,bishop.  Consider reading it slowly, perhaps even aloud, whatever helps you to allow you to contemplate the beauty of these words from the Office of Readings.

“The Easter Alleluia

Our thoughts in this present life should turn on the praise of God,because it is in praising God that we shall rejoice for ever in the life to come;and no one can be ready for the next life unless he trains himself for it now. So we praise God during our earthly life,and at the same time we make our petitions to him. Our praise is expressed with joy,our petitions with yearning. We have been promised something we do not yet possess,and because the promise was made by one who keeps his word,we trust him and are glad;but insofar as possession is delayed,we can only long and yearn for it. It is good for us to persevere in longing until we receive what was promised,and yearning is over;then praise alone will remain.

Because there are these two periods of time —the one that now is,beset with the trials and troubles of this life,and the other yet to come,a life of everlasting serenity and joy —we are given two liturgical seasons,one before Easter and the other after. The season before Easter signifies the troubles in which we live here and now, while the time after Easter which we are celebrating at present signifies the happiness that will be ours in the future. What we commemorate before Easter is what we experience in this life;what we celebrate after Easter points to something we do not yet possess. This is why we keep the first season with fasting and prayer;but now the fast is over and we devote the present season to praise. Such is the meaning of the Alleluia we sing.

Both these periods are represented and demonstrated for us in Christ our head. The Lord’s passion depicts for us our present life of trial—shows how we must suffer and be afflicted and finally die. The Lord’s resurrection and glorification show us the life that will be given to us in the future.

Now therefore,brethren,we urge you to praise God. That is what we are all telling each other when we say Alleluia. You say to your neighbor,“Praise the Lord!” and he says the same to you. We are all urging one another to praise the Lord,and all thereby doing what each of us urges the other to do. But see that your praise comes from your whole being;in other words,see that you praise God not with your lips and voices alone,but with your minds,your lives and all your actions.

We are praising God now,assembled as we are here in church;but when we go on our various ways again,it seems as if we cease to praise God. But provided we do not cease to live a good life,we shall always be praising God. You cease to praise God only when you swerve from justice and from what is pleasing to God. If you never turn aside from the good life,your tongue may be silent but your actions will cry aloud, and God will perceive your intentions;for as our ears hear each other’s voices,so do God’s ears hear our thoughts.”

This year on the 5th Sunday of Easter our Scriptures talked about the door of faith being opened and being given a commandment.  I talked about T-shirts, Facebook, and going viral.  But hey… God loves you, and so do I!

Reblogged from CNS Blog:

Zachary Urban, parishioner of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Wheat Ridge, Colo., sent Colorado silver to an Argentine silversmith who is making the pope’s new liturgical vessels. “It all kind of fell together,” Urban told the Denver Catholic Register. He shipped three ounces of silver extracted from the gold in a mine in Alma, Colo., to silversmith Adrian Pallarols in late March. 

Read more… 220 more words

I was on Pandora, listening to the Rich Mullins And a Ragamuffin Band Radio, when this song “Land Of My Sojourn” really struck me.  In light of the bombings in Boston just 2 days ago, and the many acts of violence that occur in our country every day, I am strengthened in my resolve to not let my life be ruled by fear.  I will strive each day to allow love to grow and drive the fear from my life.  I hope you will join me.

LAND OF MY SOJOURN

And the coal trucks come a-runnin’
With their bellies full of coal
And their big wheels a-hummin’
Down this road that lies open like the soul of a woman
Who hid the spies who were lookin’
For the land of the milk and the honey
And this road she is a woman
She was made from a rib
Cut from the sides of these mountains
Oh these great sleeping Adams
Who are lonely even here in paradise
Lonely for somebody to kiss them
And I’ll sing my song ~ and I’ll sing my song
In the land of my sojourn

And the lady in the harbor
She still holds her torch out
To those huddled masses who are
Yearning for a freedom that still eludes them
The immigrant’s children see their brightest dreams shattered
Here on the New Jersey shoreline in the
Greed and the glitter of those high-tech casinos
But some mendicants wander off into a cathedral
And they stoop in the silence
And there their prayers are still whispered
And I’ll sing their song, and I’ll sing their song
In the land of my sojourn

Nobody tells you when you get born here
How much you’ll come to love it
And how you’ll never belong here
So I call you my country
And I’ll be lonely for my home
And I wish that I could take you there with me

And down the brown brick spine of some dirty blind alley
All those drain pipes are drippin’ out the last Sons Of Thunder
While off in the distance the smoke stacks
Were belching back this city’s best answer

And the countryside was pocked
With all of those mail pouch posters
Thrown up on the rotting sideboards of
These rundown stables like the one that Christ was born in
When the old world started dying
And the new world started coming on
And I’ll sing His song, and I’ll sing His song
In the land of my sojourn

In the land of my sojourn
And I will sing His song
In the land of my sojourn”

Father, you called Saint Anselm to study and teach the sublime truths you have revealed. Let your gift of faith come to the aid of our understanding and open our hearts to your truth. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. – Amen.

Concluding prayer of this morning’s Divine Office for the Memorial of Saint Anselm.

“Let the gift of faith come to the aid of our understanding” is the phrase that jumps out at me today. Faith is a gift. It is freely given to all. But like all gifts it could go unwrapped and unused, stored in some interior closet and forgotten. How can we expect to grow in our understanding of God and our purpose in the grand scheme of life and all creation if we do not use our gift? That doesn’t mean that we check our brains at the door of the church, far from it! It means that our faith is the spark that fires the engine of our intellect and causes us to embark on a new leg of our journey through life. Faith is a gift of relationship, of love, of community, of inspiration, and a gift that grows all the more as we give it away.

So don’t wait. Use your gift today. Jump in the water is fine. In fact throw yourself in to the ocean of love and see what discoveries you will make!

I have decided to make today count for something. I am choosing to find a way to make a difference today, to make someone else’s life better, to give them a smile, a helping hand, perhaps even help them understand and make progress in overcoming a monumental situation. I choose to wake up, take myself off autopilot, and live for others. By doing this I will find a better life for myself.

This is a way of living that people of any faith or of no faith will find to be true if they are people of good will. But for a Christian it is a necessary part of the fabric of our lives. To receive God’s mercy we must be merciful. May we all receive what we need to see where in our lives we can give comfort, joy, and help to others, then also receive what we need to overcome our self-focus and actually do it.

Don’t let the 47:58 length scare you off, I really didn’t preach that long.  I am still learning the technology.  Last time I recorded my homily I used the app on my cell phone and it timed out and clipped off the end.  This time I tried the app on my iPad and when I closed the smart cover it continued to record.  Good to know for the future.

You can skip to the section that is of interest to you on the sound cloud graphic by clicking on the small icons on the waveform which indicates the presence of a comment telling you what you will hear there.  The Homily is right at the beginning, music is at the end, and the chanted intercessions and quiet time are in the middle.  If you find value in this I am thankful.  The crucifix in the photo is in the church at the National Shrine of St Charles Lwanga and Companions in Uganda.