JANUARY 2022
As people of faith living during a time of pandemic, we are called to pray and to listen to the Holy Spirit which will move us to the right action. We have seen how social media has been used to bring communities together in prayer and in song, to teach and preach, through spiritual practices such as global rosaries, novenas, contemplative practices, and virtual retreats. We have already seen during this time how communities and individuals have responded to the needs of the poor, the recently unemployed, the sick and our elders, our brothers and sisters. We have now begun to slow down and maybe even listen to the Spirit and respond to the needs of our communities. We are reminded in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians that we are all one body, that through the power of the Holy Spirit we are one, and that our gifts are to be used for one another.
I’m gonna move when the Spirit say, “Move.” I’m gonna move when the Spirit say, “Move.” When the Spirit say “Move,” I’m gonna move, oh Lord. I’m gonna move when the Spirit say, “Move.”
In John 20:21-22, Jesus said to his disciples, “As my Father sent me, so I send you,” and he breathed on them and said: “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Tis Spirit moved them to let go of their fear and to be persons of mission.
In these days, we are so in need of that Spirit of fearlessness. Many are afraid of what is to come. As Jesus has reminded us again and again, “Do not worry; I am with you.” We cannot predict the future, but we can allow ourselves to be open to receiving that sweet Holy Spirit that will give us what we need in the days ahead.
St. Irenaeus of Lyons, one of the first theologians of the Christian Church states that the Spirit came down with power to open the gates of life to all the nations and to make known to them the new covenant. He further writes that in baptism we have become one in body and, through the Holy Spirit, we become one in soul. Tese are powerful and transformative words. Do we truly believe that we are of one body and, through the power of the Holy Spirit, one soul? How are we preparing to receive the Holy Spirit today?
Spirit of the Living God, fall fresh on me. Spirit of the Living God, fall fresh on me. Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me. Spirit of the Living God, fall fresh on me.
Tis song, “Spirit of the Living God,” ends with an invocation asking the Spirit to “melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.” As people of faith, we must be open to trusting the Holy Spirit to shape us, fill us, and use us. Like those first disciples in the Upper Room, during these challenging times may we be open to the coming of the Holy Spirit to use us and transform us for the good of all.
Finally, I leave you with the words of Servant of God, Sr. Tea Bowman:
If you believe that the Spirit that lived in Jesus, that the Spirit that lived in the disciples, that the Spirit that moved in the early Church is the same Spirit you receive in your Baptism and Confirmation, say AMEN.
If you believe that you, like Jesus are called by the Spirit to share the Spirit in the world, to call forth the giftedness of God’s people, say AMEN.
And if you believe that the Spirit of God is able to transform the water of your reality into purest wine, if you believe there is nothing God can’t do, say AMEN, AMEN, AMEN.
C. Vanessa White is Associate Professor of Spirituality and Ministry at Catholic Teological Union in Chicago, IL. A secular Franciscan for over 30 years, she is a sought-after writer and speaker, and she serves
as advisor and consultant for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Subcommittee on Certification for Ecclesial Ministry and Service.
Originally published by Catholic Women Preach, www.
catholicwomenpreach.org. Reprinted with permission. Video available at
https://www.catholicwomenpreach.org/ preaching/05312020.
29
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34
