Come Holy Spirit

    

Pentecost Sundy

28 May 2023

 

First Reading: Acts 2:1-11

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34

Second Reading: 1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13

Gospel: Jn 20:19-23

 

Reflection

By: Fely C. Santiago

 

“Lord send out your Spirit and renew the face of the earth”.

The Holy Spirit is all around us. And He is always there when you call Him even in so ordinary times like when I look for a parking space in a full mall. Always, when I sing “Come Holy Spirit I need you...", there goes a space made available for me just where I waited to find a space. Just amazing!

Or it can be when I am about to prepare a presentation I always ask for guidance from the Holy Spirit for wisdom and inspiration and the ideas and thoughts just keep flowing and when the presentation is done and I receive a lot of affirmations, I just know I am really guided by the Holy Spirit. 

Let us receive the Holy Spirit to renew us and be filled with its fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness and self-control.

Prayer

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love that we may become the channel of your peace that the world really needs now. Amen.

Advocate

   

 Pentecost Sunday

5 June 2022 

 

First Reading: ACTS 2:1-11

Responsorial Psalm: PS 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34

Second Reading: 1 COR 12:3b-7, 12-13

Gospel: JN 20:19-23

 

Reflection

By: Fely Santiago

 

"Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth"

Today is Pentecost Sunday. It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and the Virgin Mary with the other disciples following the Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus Christ and it marks  beginning of the Christian church's mission to the world.

Holy Spirit, kindle in us the fire f your love.

In a world, in our country, community or even our own family much need of love and reconciliation, the Holy Spirit arrives like a strong gust of wind to liberate us from our dark places of isolation, loneliness, disappointment, and woundedness. The Holy Spirit comes and fills our thoughts with hope and the knowledge that we have not been left alone. The reconciling presence of the Holy Spirit connects our differences. The Holy Spirit breaks through our boundaries and walls so we may hear each other just as we are.

Sadly, we often try to figure out things on our own, not realizing that help comes from the Holy Spirit, the advocate. The Holy Spirit will make things plain to us. The Lord's wisdom is what we need, especially in these challenging times. He reveals His perspective through an insight, lyrics of a song, or an incident. Then we're able to deal with adversities with the peace that only He can give.

Let's make it a habit to always call on the Holy Spirit no matter how trivial it may seem like finding a parking slot in the mall. But for me, it always works! I would always pray to the Holy Spirit to find me a slot and always, always He never fails. Jesus promised our Advocate, the Holy Spirit. Let's always call on Him to ask for wisdom and understanding and pray that we may always bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, and we can make this world a better place.

My friends, let us invite the Holy Spirit to break down the walls of a stubborn heart, heals the broken, melts the frozen, and guides our steps. We are in much need of the reconciling presence of the Spirit, which draws us into communion with each other, yes, other members of the body of Christ.

Come, Holy Spirit, rest on us, dwell in us, stay with us.

Prayer

O Holy Spirit, soul of my soul, light of my life, enlighten, guide, strengthen, and console me. Tell me what I ought to do. Command me to do them, I promise to be submissive to everything that happens to me. Only show me what is your Holy Will. Amen.

Come Holy Spirit!

Pentecost Sunday

23 May 2021 

 

First Reading:  ACTS 2:1-11

Responsorial Psalm:  PS 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34

Second Reading:  1 COR 12:3b-7, 12-13 or GAL 5:16-25

Gospel:  JN 20:19-23

 

Reflection

By: Benj Santiago

 

"Now the works of the flesh are obvious: immorality, impurity, lust, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outburst of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions, occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies, and the like"..."In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."

This Pentecost Sunday which is the Third Glorious Mystery of the Holy Rosary, we celebrate the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ while they were in Jerusalem. "Pente" means "fifty" days after the celebration of Easter Sunday!

Jesus in this occasion shared to the believers, the difference between the works of the flesh versus the fruit of the Holy Spirit. I did a self check and found myself guilty in a lot of the "works of the flesh" as I try to do  my best to do the works of the "Spirit"! In the midst of what's happening all around us , it is so easy for me to fall into dissent, envy, hatred, and rivalry! Invoking the power of Holy Spirit has been a constant practice for me and the entire family. We pray to the Holy Spirit from simple request of a parking slot in a mall, to a more serious need like healing of a sick loved one. But there are also occasions we seem to forget to recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit in our daily life.

The "Spirit" is willing, the flesh is weak"! That's very real for me. The battle between the flesh and the Spirit is moment by moment. You and I are so blessed that we received the Holy Spirit in our Baptism. A promise He left His disciples before He was lifted up in heaven. Thus, we are all assured that He will not leave us alone in our daily battles. He will always be with us through the Holy Spirit!

 

Prayer

 

Heavenly Father, we thank You for sending us the Holy Spirit to comfort us, strengthen us and empower us in our daily battles. "Come Holy Spirit we need You! Come Holy Spirit we pray!"

 

 

 

My Super All In One!

“ The Father bears witness from heaven to His Son. The Holy Spirit bears witness, coming down bodily in the form of a dove. The archangel Gabriel bears witness, bringing the good tidings to Mary. The Virgin Mother of God bears witness.”

- St. Cyril of Jerusalem

First Reading: Acts 2:1-11

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.

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. They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, "Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans? Then how does each of us hear them in his own native language?

We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as travelers from Rome, both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God."

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34

Second Reading: First Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13

Therefore, I tell you that nobody speaking by the spirit of God says, "Jesus be accursed." And no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the holy Spirit. There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many,  For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.

Gospel: John 20:19-23

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.  (Jesus) said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained."

Reflection
By Anabelle Payod-Balla

I love watching movies. Movies would normally run for one and a half hours or two. But we all know that it takes months or even years to make a very good movie. We see the actors and the actresses on screen but we also know that there are more people other than those we see on screen who played important roles to make the movie happen. We don't see their faces in the movie, they are not hogging the limelight. We only see their names shown on the last part of the movie, when people are already on their way out and no longer paying attention to the screen.

Unlike Jesus, Mother Mary and some famous saints, the Holy Spirit seems to have lesser devotees. It is not common to hear Novena to the Holy Spirit. Though I would say that in most prayers, we always seek the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit. We know that He is always there, working behind the scene.

I am lucky to have known the Holy Spirit in the early years of my life. I got hold of this prayer to the Holy Spirit when I was in college and I’ve been reciting it as part of my daily night prayer ever since. I feel that I cannot go on without His help. I embraced Him as a vital part of my being, of my family. For me, the Holy Spirit is the life within me. He is my strength, my wisdom, my help, my protector, my comforter, my counselor, my director, my guide! I feel Him. He is like the music in me Who makes me sing in gladness, the wind beneath my wings, the force that helps make wonderful things happen in my life. He is the joy within that nourishes my soul! I love the Holy Spirit and He is with me and my family always. And I am sure, He is with you as well, just waiting for you to make Him part of your life.

As we celebrate the Pentecost, let us welcome and embrace the Holy Spirit and receive again His wonderful gifts of wisdom, understanding, fear of the Lord , counsel, knowledge, fortitude, and piety (reverence). Let us listen and obey His promptings. Let us allow Him to dwell in us so we can bear and share His fruits of charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, and chastity.

Choose the Holy Spirit to be your constant companion. He will keep us close to the Father always.

Prayer

O Holy Spirit soul of my soul, enlighten, guide, strengthen, and console me. Teach me what I should do. Give me Your orders and I promise to be submissive in all that You desire of me and to accept all that You allow to happen to me. Grant only to me to know Your will.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and kindle in them the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

Oh God, Who by the light of the Holy Spirit, has taught the hearts of Your faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit, we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolations, through Christ Our Lord, Amen.

Second Chances

First Reading: Exodus 3:1-8, 13-15

Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Mid'ian; and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush; and he looked, and lo, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed And Moses said, "I will turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt." When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here am I."

Then he said, "Do not come near; put off your shoes from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground." And he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. Then the LORD said, "I have seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters; I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Per'izzites, the Hivites, and the Jeb'usites.

Then Moses said to God, "If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, `The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, `What is his name?' what shall I say to them?" God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel, `I AM has sent me to you.'" God also said to Moses, "Say this to the people of Israel, `The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you': this is my name for ever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.

Psalm: Psalm 103:1-4, 6-8, 11

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12

I want you to know, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same supernatural foo and all drank the same supernatural drink. For they drank from the supernatural Rock which followed them, and the Rock was Christ. Nevertheless with most of them God was not pleased; for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things are warnings for us, not to desire evil as they did. nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. Now these things happened to them as a warning, but they were written down for our instruction, upon whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore let any one who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.

Gospel: Luke 13:1-9

 There were some present at that very time who told him of the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered thus? I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen upon whom the tower in Silo'am fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish." And he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, `Lo, these three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down; why should it use up the ground?' And he answered him, `Let it alone, sir, this year also, till I dig about it and put on manure. And if it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'"

Reflection
By Fely Santiago

“Sir, leave it for this year also, I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down”


It’s funny, I said I need to finish today the reflection for March 3. So I prayed to the Holy Spirit, “Lord what to do you want me to reflect on?” and His words just kept pouring in. I had to delete everything I initially wrote for this Third Sunday of Lent. The initial title of my reflection was “Bearing Fruit”. The Lord changed it to "Second Chances", lessons from the fig tree.

The Lord is indeed kind and merciful. He gives us second chances. If we have not been bearing fruit in our relationship with Him, now is the perfect time. In this season of Lent, we can spend more time with Him that we may bear fruits and others will see Jesus in us. Lent offers us a very special opportunity to grow in our relationship with God. It is a time of GREAT GRACE. Even in our busy world, we can still find time to pray more deeply, repent for all the ungratefulness that we’ve done and failed to do, and to be more generous to those in need. Every waiting time like being caught in the traffic, waiting in line in a grocery or bus stop, is an opportune time to spend moments with the Lord. It just takes an awareness of the presence of the Lord every moment of our lives.

In which areas in our lives have we not been bearing fruit? If we are in the grace of God, we can pray for the nine visible attributes of a true Christian - the fruits of the Holy Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, humility, and self-control.

In my case, I need to improve in the areas of joy, patience, kindness and self-control. These are my challenges and desires this Lenten season and I cannot do it alone. I need the Holy Spirit to guide me. But I truly believe nothing is impossible with the Lord! He gives me another chance to bear the fruits of joy, patience, kindness, and self-control. So my desire is that God will give me more patience to accept the things I cannot change and out of control, to wait for the right time for things to happen, believing the best is yet to come, to take time and not always be in a hurry, learn to slow down and really enjoy each moment, to be more kind to people and accept their weaknesses, to exercise self-control when things are not in accordance with what I want. And lastly, I pray that I will learn to laugh more often and always find joy in the simple things and in all the blessings that God surrounds me. The moment that I wake up everyday, I am blessed with the gift of life, my family, the beauty of His creation, the gift of friendship, the money that is working for me, the gift of my spiritual community and the many blessings and miracles He gives me everyday! These are all sources of joy that I should always be thankful and joyful about.

How about you? Which areas in your life need bearing fruit? What are the second chances that God is giving you?

May this Lenten season produce a rich harvest in your Christian life. God is GREAT! He gives us second chances to be the person that He wants us to be, to enjoy the abundant life that He gives us.

Prayer

Lord, I know how much You love me. You always give me second chances. Help me to use Your love as a way to persevere in my Lenten intentions. I am weak, but I know with Your help, I can use the small sacrifices in my life to draw closer to You. Be with me in this Lenten journey that I may truly bear all the fruits of the Holy Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self-contro.l In Jesus name I pray. Amen.