Tag Archives: Pentecost

Filled with the Spirit of Love

Steffen Papenbroock
“Heart of Fire”

Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:3-4a

The Holy Spirit is our moment-to-moment guide as we struggle to remain faithful to God’s command to love one another. The Holy Spirit opens our minds to discern our gifts and talents and how best to use them in service to each other. The Holy Spirit opens our hearts to face our darkest memories, let go of resentment and grudges, reconcile with those we have hurt, speak out against unjust systems and the inhumane treatment of any of God’s precious children, and show mercy to all of God’s people.

The Holy Spirit gives us the courage to trust God in everything.

Today I will ask the Holy Spirit to fill me with the peace and love of Christ.

Led by the Spirit

Holy Trinity, 17th c.
Biblioteca Nacional do Brasil

For those who are led by the Spirit are children of God. Romans 8:14

The Spirit leads us to trust the goodness of our hearts, to look for the face of God in all people, to treat each member of God’s human family with loving kindness, to listen to others with patience and understanding, to breathe peace into every situation.

Today with child-like faith I will let the Spirit lead me into God’s heart of compassion and wisdom.

Receive and give

Holger Schué

Jesus breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:22

From the Risen Lord’s own breath, we receive the Holy Spirit: our breath mingling with God’s in an eternal communion of give and receive, receive and give.

Today I will receive the gifts and talents I have been given with gratitude and use one of them to benefit someone in need.

Filled with the Holy Spirit

Ed de Guzman
Pentecost
gouache on special paper, 2014

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone.
1 Corinthians 12:4-6

We work together in harmony to bring about God’s vision of love and peace for humankind. We are not in competition. We are each a part of the body of Christ, given the Holy Spirit in order to serve God’s human family.

Today I will reflect on the spiritual gifts I have been given. I will ask the Holy Spirit to show me how best to use these gifts to bring peace, harmony, and love to the world.

Spirit of Love

Steffen Papenbroock
“Heart of Fire”

Jesus said, “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.” John 14:26

With each breath, we are one with God’s Holy Spirit.

With each breath, we hear the Holy Spirit teach us everything about kindness, respect, compassion, gentleness, justice, and generosity.

With each breath, we listen to the Holy Spirit’s reminder that Jesus has told us to love God, our neighbor, and ourselves, and to forgive those who have hurt us.

Lord, love comes in many forms of service. May I be guided today by your Holy Spirit as I use my gifts and talents to bless our fragile world with love and goodness.

The Spirit of truth

Pentecost

[Jesus said,] “But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth.” John 16:13

The truth is that when I love and treat others with patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, then I am filled with the Spirit of God.

Today I will let God’s Spirit guide me in all my interactions.

Untamed

“Tame” does not describe the Holy Spirit. Be prepared to be surprised, overwhelmed, consumed, humbled, delighted by the movement of the Spirit in your life.

And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:2-4a

The language of love

JESUS MAFA. Pentecost, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. [retrieved May 20, 2018]. Original source: Librairie de l’Emmanuel

The language of God’s Holy Spirit is love. Whomever I speak with, wherever they’re from, no matter how different they seem from me: we all understand the spoken and unspoken language of love, compassion, and acceptance.

May the language I choose always express God’s Spirit of love and compassion.

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem. At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. Acts 2:4-6

The power in each breath

The power of wind and fire is within each breath I take. This is the gift of God’s Holy Spirit.

How will I make use of the power of the Spirit in me today? How can I help fulfill the Lord’s vision of peace and unity and love among all people?

And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:2-4

 

Gifts of the Spirit

Ed de Guzman Pentecost gouache on special paper, 2014

Ed de Guzman
Pentecost
gouache on special paper, 2014

Today the wind is a bit wild. I think the Holy Spirit is visiting and, I hope, blessing me with the gifts of the Spirit.

Here’s how the Loyola Press describes those gifts:

Wisdom helps us recognize the importance of others and the importance of keeping God central in our lives.

Understanding is the ability to comprehend the meaning of God’s message.

Knowledge is the ability to think about and explore God’s revelation, and also to recognize there are mysteries of faith beyond us.

Counsel is the ability to see the best way to follow God’s plan when we have choices that relate to him.

Fortitude is the courage to do what one knows is right.

Piety helps us pray to God in true devotion.

Fear of the Lord is the feeling of amazement before God, who is all-present, and whose friendship we do not want to lose.

And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. Acts 2:2-4