Come, Holy Spirit!
Dear All Saints Parish Family,
How close are you with the Holy Spirit?
There are always signs throughout the year that the seasons are changing. For instance, we should now be through the worst of pollen season and daytime temperatures are on the rise pretty consistently, indicating for us that summer is on the way.
As the Church moves through the liturgical year, there are likewise accompanying signs…right after the glorious celebration of Easter Sunday and its octave, the Church proposes for our reflection God’s Word about the Resurrection, most obviously, but have you noticed the subtle changes in the readings, speaking about Baptism and Eucharist? They are most pronounced in the daily Mass readings, but present as well on Sundays.
As the Easter Season draws ever closer to its climatic celebration of Pentecost, we will see another shift with lots of references to the coming of the Holy Spirit both for the Apostles and as a promised gift of the Father for all who believe in His Son, Jesus Christ.
If you have been baptized and confirmed, the Holy Spirit has been poured into your soul. He is there. His task, as scripture says, is to be your Consoler and your Counselor. As Consoler, the Holy Spirit speaks, draws in, inspires, all with the effect of establishing an intimate connection between our very soul and the Heavenly Father. As Counselor, He advocates against the lies and deceptions of the devil. He is represented as both Fire and Dove, power and gentleness.
Just as the explosion of pollen and the increased sunlight bring about new life each spring, so too, as the Church sets before our minds and hearts the presence of the Holy Spirit, should we look forward to spiritual renewal in this sacred Easter Season.
Call on the Holy Spirit frequently! Though the Spirit is always there, always here, we can fall out of tune or grow unaware of His presence. Ask for His inspiration, ask for Him to fan into flame the faith that is in your heart. Ask Him for the virtues you need, all in the Sacred Name of Jesus Christ, our Risen Lord! ‘Tis the Season!
The Lord is risen, alleluia!
The Lord is risen indeed, alleluia!
Praised be Christ, now and forever!
All you holy saints of God, pray for us!
Peace in Christ,
Fr. Michael
Pastor