SCRIPTURE: Acts 2, 1-4: "When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. 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 8, 17: "Then they [Peter and John] laid hands on them [people of Samaria] and they received the holy Spirit."
Isaiah 11, 2: "The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him:
a spirit of wisdom and of understanding. A spirit of counsel and of strength.
a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD,..."
MEDITATION: Dear Lord, when I think of the power of the Holy Spirit, I am in awe. I like to think of the apostles as being frail human beings like myself. When I think of them in the upper room, I identify with their fears and insecurities. Their humanness is so evident. The task before them was, indeed, a mission impossible. The opposition was overwhelming. They were going to have to confront the Jewish leaders, knowing what had been done to the Savior Himself. Obviously, they were not ready to sacrifice their lives. As if that were not enough, they would also have to challenge the Roman Empire. The odds against them were staggering. I often think of that today when I think of the spreading evil in our modern world. The destruction of human life is more extensive than at any time in history. Injustice is prevalent, corruption rampant, and even the seduction of the young and innocent is being more tolerated. I need to be aware of the transformation brought about in the apostles by the Holy Spirit. It was life a powerful electrifying surge that shattered their fears and filled them with courage. It was the Holy Spirit that gave them the strength to face suffering and death.
PRAYER: O, LORD, I COME BEFORE YOU AS ONE WHO IS WEAK AND FILLED WITH FEARS. I KNOW THAT THE POWERS OF EVIL ARE DEMONIC. I NEED TO BE REASSURED; I NEED STRONGER CONVICTIONS; AND ABOVE ALL, I NEED TO EXPERIENCE THE GIFTS OF YOUR HOLY SPIRIT. I NEED TO KNOW THAT THOSE GIFTS ARE THERE LIKE GIANT HYDROELECTRIC GENERATORS. THEY MAY SEEM INACTIVE, BUT THEY ARE NOT. THEY ARE THERE, CHARGED WITH POWER. FOR MY PART, I COME WITH MY MIND SUBMITTED TO YOU, WITH MY HEART LOVING YOU, AND MY WILL CONFORMED TO YOURS. I THANK YOU, LORD, FOR BEING WITH ME AND HELPING ME AND KEEPING ME ON THE RIGHT ROAD, SO THAT I WILL ULTIMATELY ARRIVE AT THE BLESSED HOME YOU HAVE PREPARED FOR ME.
HOME CELEBRATION: Parents may pray over their children, imposing hands on them and anointing them with oil. The parents could compose their own special prayer of anointing. They may also pray over each other and anoint each other and their family. The whole family could join in making a poster or banner depicting tongues of fire. They could name on it the special gift they wish to have or need at that time in their lives. They could put non-extinguishable birthday candles on a cake or muffins, light them, and have the children try to blow them out. When the children fail, they can use this illustration to help them understand the power of the Holy Spirit.
Introduction
Sacrament of Baptism
Sacrament of the Blessed Eucharist
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Sacrament of Holy Orders
Sacrament of Marriage
Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick
Blessing
