Today many people with respiratory problems use machines at home that produce extra oxygen to help them with their breathing. Some people also use smaller, portable machines that serve the same purpose when they go out. But no matter what size machine people utilize to provide the necessary oxygen boost, the people have to be willing to use the machine and they have to turn it on.

            The Holy Spirit is like the breath of God, enabling us to live the new life Jesus won for us by his death and resurrection, strengthening us for God’s service and guiding us along the path God wants us to follow.  But much like a machine that can fill our lungs with life-giving oxygen, the Holy Spirit requires some human cooperation. It is not enough that the Holy Spirit is at work in the world or that we are “sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit” in the sacrament of confirmation.  We still have to be willing to use that Holy Spirit and, in a manner of speaking, turn it on.

            What good is the Spirit of wisdom if we don’t ask God’s help in making important decisions in our lives?  What good is the Spirit of love if we close ourselves off to caring for others or others caring for us?  What good is the Spirit of unity if we continue to focus on what divides us and refuse to see all that we share? What good is the Spirit of Christ if we ignore his voice calling us to serve the poor, forgive our enemies, and seek God’s kingdom before anything else?

            As we celebrate the coming of God’s Holy Spirit at Pentecost, I pray that that Spirit may be truly useful and not useless for each one of us.