May 15, 2005

Today is Pentecost. We have been preparing all week for this. Observant parish churches conduct a novena before Pentecost, according to a request made by Pope Leo XIII a hundred years ago. Most of the people who read this column are clearly aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit in the Church and, hopefully, in their own lives. He is the person of the Holy Trinity we rely on for special grace and strength in the midst of very tough and trying times. We also rely on Him for inspiration and grace to do well, to overcome obstacles, and do our best performance for the kingdom of God. A little introspection will tell most people that they rely on the Holy Spirit to operate in their lives even when they are not aware of Him. If you went to Catholic school years ago, the sisters taught you to say a prayer to the Holy Spirit before exams and other difficult student activities.
In this as in so many other things, I am grateful to the sisters who taught me. I never begin any activity of significance without a prayer to the Holy Spirit. When I first came to in the hospital and began to realize the difficulties of my situation, I prayed to the Holy Spirit that somehow I would be able to do what I was supposed to do, and He gave me the courage and strength not to look at the bleak side of my situation. Even now, when I get annoyed at my injured limbs and limitations, I turn again to the Holy Spirit and ask Him to help me along and get me through these things.
I have also learned that the Holy Spirit helps us look at the funny aspects of life. All sorts of things happen that have humor to them, ranging from the recent papal elections to what little babies do as they begin to relate to the world around them. (I spent a wonderful Mother’s Day afternoon with my family concentrating on my sister’s new and first grandchild.) The Holy Spirit is everywhere. Perhaps when we need Him most, in dark and dangerous times, in sad times, is when we forget to turn to Him. A good resolution for Pentecost is to remember the words applied to Him in Sacred Scripture: “And You shall renew the face of the earth.”
We have recently had a remarkable example of the Holy Spirit at work in the Church in the election of Pope Benedict XVI. We need now to ask the Holy Spirit to guide him and to guide us in our membership in the Church so that we can be agents and instruments of the Holy Spirit, each in our own vocation, as He continues to renew the face of the earth.

— Fr. Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R.

___________________________________________________________________________

Go To Page 2

FastCounter by bCentral