The Easter Season is over now (wailing and gnashing of teeth all around).BUT, just because it is "Ordinary time" now again in the Church, doesn't mean that God isn't still pouring out His grace and mercy upon us.
As I was pondering Pentecost yesterday, I am still amazed at the change that took place in the Apostles after they had received the gift of the Holy Spirit.
These men, whom were so afraid of suffering and death that they will literally hiding behind locked doors, went out and transformed the whole world after they received the gift of the Holy Spirit.
In the Acts of the Apostles (5:15) we read that people brought the sick out into the street so that St. Peter's shadow might at least fall upon them. That is astounding.
Who is this Holy Spirit? Why don't we see these things happening today? Is God impotent? Are these things just stories of long ago?
The problem is not with Him, our struggle is with our own heart. Actually, we are as holy as we want to be. God fills us to the measure we allow ourselves to be filled.
It's easier for us to put the blame on others for our "lack". Perhaps we say, "well, if the homilies were better, if the choir was better, if the people at my parish were nicer, I would be holier...." and the list goes on. (I can write about this because I have had to look at these things in my own life- blaming other people for my problems)
God is not impotent or a fairy tale from the past. He is not just a "nice story" that we tell children so that they will be good.
May the Holy Spirit come and renew the face of our hearts. May we be given the courage to look within, to change what we can and accept what we cannot change.
May our lives be a living witness to the power and mercy of God.
Read More...
