Breath of God
Jesus said to his disciples: “I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.
But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.” (Jn 16:12-15)
The Gospel Readings have a particular theme which you may or may not have noticed. Pentecost is on June 5th and we are preparing our hearts with the entire Church to enter into the season of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is speaking here in the Gospel of the Advocate, the Spirit of Truth, which will come to His people. The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines the power of the Holy Spirit when it reads, “When the Father sends his Word, he always sends his Breath.” (CCC 689) To be Breathed on by God – what a gift! So how do we know when we’re living in the Breath of God? The Catechism helps us in this definition as well:
(CCC 688) We know the Holy Spirit -
· in the Scriptures he inspired;
· in the Tradition, to which the Church Fathers are always timely witnesses;
· in the Church's Magisterium, which he assists;
· in the sacramental liturgy, through its words and symbols, in which the Holy Spirit puts us into communion with Christ;
· in prayer, wherein he intercedes for us;
· in the charisms and ministries by which the Church is built up;
· in the signs of apostolic and missionary life;
· in the witness of saints through whom he manifests his holiness and continues the work of salvation.
As we wait for Pentecost 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.”
An additional resource is this beautiful song written by Francesca Battistelli: Holy Spirit - Francesca Battistelli (lyric video) - YouTube
The photo used was taken from an image found on the internet that was painted by Lance Brown .