Come Holy Spirit!: Weekly Message for 5-16-17

Dear Friends in Christ,

May has to be my favorite time of the year, full of growth and new life not just in the natural world, but also in the life of the Church. The month of May is an important ‘’sacramental season,” in which we continue the Easter season in preparation for Pentecost, and celebrate many First Communions and Confirmations. And what, or who, is the thread that runs through all this new life? It is the Holy Spirit.

With Pentecost only weeks away, Pope Francis recently addressed the unique role of the Holy Spirit: “But I have to receive with docility the Spirit which brings me the Word. And this docility, by not resisting the Spirit, brings me this way of living, this way of acting. To receive the Word with docility, to know the Word and call to the Spirit to grant us the grace to understand and then to give space for this seed to sprout and grow into this attitude of goodness, meekness, gentleness, peace, charity and self-control. All this shows a Christian attitude”.

We find a singular model of docility to the Holy Spirit in the person of Mary, who we also seek to draw closer to this month. All grace ultimately comes to us from God the Father, who continues working through Jesus the Source of all grace, who came into the world through Mary by means of the Holy Spirit. As we turn to Mary, let us remember that we imitate the apostles who gathered with her after Christ’s resurrection, for Mary was both “mother and teacher, a role she continues to carry out for Christians of all times.” (Pope Benedict XVI)

Let us ask the Holy Spirit for his help, strength, and inspiration, remembering that it is “the Holy Spirit, who entirely animated the life and ministry of Jesus, [who] is the same Spirit who now leads Christian existence, the existence of [every] man and woman who say they are and want to be Christians.” (Pope Francis)

You can explore all of our Study Circle Guides by clicking on the Study Circle Guides tab on our homepage.

We sincerely hope you make time this month, and every month, to feed your soul and share the truth of our faith with others. Our Study Circle Guides, our Retreat Guides, and our Ask-a-Priest service are created to help you do just that. Keep enjoying them, so that God can keep strengthening you through them with new insights, blessings,
and graces.

With the assurance of my prayers,

God Bless
In Christ,

Lucy Honner
Director, RC Spirituality
lucy@rcspirituality.org