Unleash the Power of the Holy Spirit

“And behold I am sending the promise of my Father upon you, but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high” (From Luke 24: 46-55)

The “promise” that Jesus spoke of, before He ascended to His heavenly Father, was the sending of the advocate, the consoler, the enabler, who is the Holy Spirit. His specific audience in Luke 24: 46-55 was the group of apostles, who had followed Jesus throughout His ministry, witnessing so many miracles and wonders, all the while struggling to make sense of the Passion, Resurrection, and then the Ascension of their Lord.

I grew up thinking that the commissioning of the apostles to evangelize the world to know Jesus, was a calling unique to contemporary religious who worked in the missions. As my spirituality matured, I have come to understand that the call to evangelize applies to me and to all Christians. The living legacy of the Holy Spirit is with us now, not depending on the arrival of Pentecost Sunday.

Tradition calls out the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which include Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord. As Catholics, the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives was unleashed and fortified through the Sacrament of Confirmation. Filled with the Holy Spirit, we are better defenders of our faith, more willing to call out evil, and always seeking out people to call out their goodness, and to bring them to know the love of Jesus, giving hope to others.

More about the gifts of the Holy Spirit in next week’s Sunday Reflection.

Have a Blessed Week!

Joe