May 11, 2008

"Before you the universe is as a drop of morning dew -- yet because you love all that you have made, you forgive us, preserve and heal us." -- Wisdom 11:22-25

"Holy Spirit, sanctify me. Holy Spirit, enlighten my mind. Glory be to the Father, to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen."

This is a prayer my mother taught me many years ago to help me be aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life. I say it often, especially when making a decision or starting something new. Her mother, who also lived by the Spirit taught me to always do what "somethin' tells me" -- like call a certain person or maybe avoid a dangerous situation. It seemed right to mention these teachings on this Sunday, which is Mothers' Day as well as the Feast of Pentecost. This combination of celebrations is very rare and is because Easter was so early this year.

The symbols of fire and wind (breath) are echoes of the giving of the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai when there was thunder and lightning. (Ex. 19:16) The Jews celebrated the giving of the Law on Pentecost, 50 days after Passover. The conferring of the Spirit on the disciples celebrates a new Pentecost, now centered on the love of God for all people, which we celebrate 50 days after Easter.

We received the Holy Spirit at our baptisms, and our Confirmations made us aware of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The gifts give us what we need to live our Christian lives. In today's gospel, Jesus confers peace on his disciples, breathes His spirit on them, and sends them out to live a new way, a life based on the unconditional love of God for all people. We are to go and tell others so that they might know the Spirit in their lives and live a full life.

Thank you to all the mothers and grandmothers who taught us the faith and thank you to Mary who said "Yes" to the Holy Spirit and wants us to know her Son.