This week and weekend we celebrate two important events: the Feast of the Visitation (May 31) and Pentecost (this year on June 4).
Pentecost, the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples in the Upper Room, and the Visitation, the meeting between the Blessed Mary and Elizabeth, provide a special connection in the way they fall this year.
The Visitation, besides being the namesake feast of our parish, is the first manifestation to those besides Mary and Joseph of the coming Incarnation (the appearance of the second Person of the Holy Trinity, commonly called Christmas) as the unborn John the Baptist leaped in Elizabeth's womb at the sound of Mary's greeting. Pentecost, considered the "birthday of the Church", is important as it transformed those first Christians from a group timidly huddling together for fear of the Jews to one that was unafraid to proclaim the Good News to those same Jews (as told in the Acts of Apostles chapter 2 and onward) and ultimately to the ends of the earth.
Both of these events demonstrate the action of the Holy Spirit in the world. John the Baptist - before his birth - was given the grace to recognize and respond to the coming Messiah. Mary, Peter and the other Apostles - having seen the teaching, suffering and dying, resurrection and ascension of Jesus - were given the grace to recognize and respond to their mission in offering witness of the on-going work of the Messiah: a work that continues through each of us, aided by the Paraclete which Jesus sent upon his Ascension, until the end of the age.
As the successors of those first witnesses of God's loving salvation, we also can benefit from this grace and action of the Holy Spirit in the world. As John the Baptist did, we can recognize Jesus' coming among us to offer his peace. As the first Christians did, we in the Church can look to the Holy Spirit to give us the courage and direction to defend the truth of Christ to a world that has been "carried away by all kinds of strange teaching" (Hebrews 13:9).
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) assures us that we can be sure that our belief and teaching is free from such error:
"The Church, a communion living in the faith of the apostles which she transmits, is the place where we know the Holy Spirit:
- in the Scriptures he inspired;
- in the Tradition, to which the Church Fathers are always timely witnesses;
- in the Church's Magisterium, which he assists;
- in the sacramental liturgy, through its words and symbols, in which the Holy Spirit puts us into communion with Christ;
- in prayer, wherein he intercedes for us;
- in the charisms and ministries by which the Church is built up;
- in the signs of apostolic and missionary life;
- in the witness of saints through whom he manifests his holiness and continues the work of salvation." (CCC 688).
Prayer to the Holy Spirit
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.
O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.
The Visitation, besides being the namesake feast of our parish, is the first manifestation to those besides Mary and Joseph of the coming Incarnation (the appearance of the second Person of the Holy Trinity, commonly called Christmas) as the unborn John the Baptist leaped in Elizabeth's womb at the sound of Mary's greeting. Pentecost, considered the "birthday of the Church", is important as it transformed those first Christians from a group timidly huddling together for fear of the Jews to one that was unafraid to proclaim the Good News to those same Jews (as told in the Acts of Apostles chapter 2 and onward) and ultimately to the ends of the earth.
Both of these events demonstrate the action of the Holy Spirit in the world. John the Baptist - before his birth - was given the grace to recognize and respond to the coming Messiah. Mary, Peter and the other Apostles - having seen the teaching, suffering and dying, resurrection and ascension of Jesus - were given the grace to recognize and respond to their mission in offering witness of the on-going work of the Messiah: a work that continues through each of us, aided by the Paraclete which Jesus sent upon his Ascension, until the end of the age.
As the successors of those first witnesses of God's loving salvation, we also can benefit from this grace and action of the Holy Spirit in the world. As John the Baptist did, we can recognize Jesus' coming among us to offer his peace. As the first Christians did, we in the Church can look to the Holy Spirit to give us the courage and direction to defend the truth of Christ to a world that has been "carried away by all kinds of strange teaching" (Hebrews 13:9).
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) assures us that we can be sure that our belief and teaching is free from such error:
"The Church, a communion living in the faith of the apostles which she transmits, is the place where we know the Holy Spirit:
- in the Scriptures he inspired;
- in the Tradition, to which the Church Fathers are always timely witnesses;
- in the Church's Magisterium, which he assists;
- in the sacramental liturgy, through its words and symbols, in which the Holy Spirit puts us into communion with Christ;
- in prayer, wherein he intercedes for us;
- in the charisms and ministries by which the Church is built up;
- in the signs of apostolic and missionary life;
- in the witness of saints through whom he manifests his holiness and continues the work of salvation." (CCC 688).
Prayer to the Holy Spirit
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.
O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.
Our FORMED Recommendation for the Week
Video Series: The Wild Goose: Discovering a Deeper Relationship with the Holy Spirit: https://formed.org/study/58264810047b47d40a5e5d2aThe Wild Goose is a work of the Holy Spirit, which is awakening in the hearts of all those participating God’s love and transforming power. This is a love that has been revealed to us by Jesus Christ and that leads us to our heavenly Father. As you walk through this series, pray for the Spirit to breathe life into your heart.If you haven't done so already, go to www.formed.org, click on the REGISTER button and enter our parish code V8KNDV). Enter your e-mail address on the registration screen and you're good to go!
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