Pentecost

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

Because He has anointed me

To preach the gospel to the poor;

He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted,

To proclaim liberty to the captives

And recovery of sight to the blind,

To set at liberty those who are oppressed;

To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”

- Luke 4: 18, 19

Jesus claimed these words from Isaiah as his own mission, and as followers of Jesus and Francis, we are challenged to do the same. Francis charged us each to do what is ours to do. What are you called to do? Serve the poor in some way through the work of your parish? Bring communion to those captive in their homes? Heal a broken heart by listening to a person who needs to talk? Encourage someone who is blind to his or her value and dignity as a child of God? Become informed on current issues like immigration and contact your legislators?

From article 19 of our rule: Mindful that they are bearers of peace which must be built up unceasingly, they should seek out ways of unity and fraternal harmony through dialogue, trusting in the presence of the divine seed in everyone and in the transforming power of love and pardon. Messengers of perfect joy in every circumstance, they should strive to bring joy and hope to others.

In our polarized Church and political cultures, where people are all too willing to take a firm stand and defend it vehemently and less willing to listen with respect and an effort to understand the position of anyone who thinks differently, we are called to BE different, to be peacemakers. And it is only by the power of the Holy Spirit that we can do this.

Let us pray:
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.

May we be bold and courageous in our words and actions, witnessing to the Gospel.