My Thoughts 11/05/2022

It was only when I was first ordained and asked to give a talk to a group of Catholics on the Holy Spirit that it hit me, reading the Acts of the Apostles, how central the Holy Spirit was in the growth of the early church.

We have an example of that today in the first reading at Mass. “One day while they were offering worship to the Lord and keeping a fast, the Holy Spirit said “ ‘I want Barnabas and Saul set apart for the work to which I have called them.’ So it was that after fasting and prayer they laid their hands on them and sent them off.”

What is important to note is that these early Christian’s of Antioch were open to the prompting of the Holy Spirit because of their prayer and fasting. It was clear the Holy Spirit was the one who was sending them on their mission. The Holy Spirit was directing and prompting them.

I wonder to what extent are we as individuals, as a parish and a church open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Do we really fast and pray in order to know what God wants of us?

Here is a prayer to the Holy Spirit written by Cardinal Mercier.

O Holy Spirit, beloved of my soul, I adore You. Enlighten me, guide me, strengthen me, console me. Tell me what I should do; give me Your orders. I promise to submit myself to all that You desire of me and to accept all that You permit to happen to me. Let me only know Your Will.