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 ...
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How Sister Thea Bowman Can Inspire Us
When Sister Thea Bowman, a Black sister, addressed the United States Catholic bishops in 1989, she began by singing several lines from an African-American spiritual: “Sometimes I feel like a motherless child/A long way from home.” She told the bishops that, as a Black woman and a Catholic, she brought her whole history, her traditions, her culture, her African-American experience, her whole being as a gift to the church. Her spirituality was “contemplative and biblical and holistic,” a spirituality . . . “that steps out in faith, that leans on the Lord, a spirituality that is communal.” Although she must have felt like her vision and contribution were not valued by the Church, she gave her gifts generously and wholeheartedly. The bishops listened and were charmed by her enthusiasm. At the end, she had them singing and swaying with African-American music. It must have been quite a sight to see these bishops, with their croziers and crimson-trimmed robes, clapping and singing along with ...
Easter Hope With all the hate, devastation, and violence in our world, it is hard to really comprehend the joy of Easter fully. We want to experience the glory and hope of the resurrection, but it sometimes seems hard to really see around us. Certainly we can identify with the apostles’ fear and despair after the devastating crucifixion on Good Friday. Not only were their hopes and dreams crushed, but they feared for their lives. Locked in the upper room, they wondered what the future would hold. When the women came back from Jesus’ tomb and found it empty, they were not sure what that meant at first. We at least have the assurance of the resurrection. We believe that Christ rose on the third day and that he continues to be with us. Jesus has overcome his excruciating death on the cross and lives again. We feel his presence in the Eucharist, in the wonders of the natural world, in the faces of each person we meet, especially the poor and persecuted. Jesus assured his follow...
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