Inspired by Scholastica

Come Holy Spirit

When Jesus ascended into heaven, the apostles were lost for a while. Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit, but what that would mean, they were not sure. Jesus spoke about fire and wind, but I’m sure that was hard to grasp. So, they waited and prayed that this spirit would come and help them know how to spread the Good News. When Jesus was with them, they had a leader. When he left them, I’m sure they felt a little lost.

Then ten days later, they were gathered with some followers; and when Peter preached, everyone heard him speaking in their own language. In addition, tongues of fire appeared over their heads and a mighty wind came over the assembly. This filled the apostles and the others with courage to begin baptizing believers. Soon they began to build small house churches.

Pentecost is considered the beginning of the Church. The apostles were given the courage to spread the Good News. Soon they began to meet regularly and share in the breaking of the bread.

This was the fervor of the early Church. The apostles felt the Holy Spirit giving them the words to preach and the confidence to heal the lame, the deaf, the sick and the lepers. They were also given the courage to spread the Good News throughout the Roman world at that time. They suffered persecution from the Romans and other groups at times, but the faithful were given new courage. Paul and Peter even escaped from prison miraculously.

The Holy Spirit has been given to us, too, as we try to spread Jesus’s teachings. God gives us the words to say and the courage to be faithful in a world filled with controversy, dissention, and doubt. The Church has undergone much suffering and misunderstanding, but it has lasted over 2,000 years.

Spirit of the Living God, rest upon us.

Barbara Mayer,

 

 

Comments

  1. Anonymous4 June 2025 at 05:13

    Sr. Barbara..thank you so much for this. I love the vision of small church houses...believers gathering in homes to learn about and worship God.

    ReplyDelete

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