It is 31st May 2020. We celebrate the Solemnity of Pentecost Sunday. Wishing you a Spirit-filled day with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The readings are from Acts 2:1-11, the second reading is from 1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13, and the Gospel from Jn 20:19-23. The outpouring of the Third Person of the Most Holy Trinity, the Advocate, the Consoler and the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and the community is the birth of the Church. As we cannot live without the air, so the Church cannot continue its mission without the Holy Spirit. The Catechism teaches us in Nos. 733, and 736: “God is Love” and love is his first gift, containing all others. “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” “We live by the Spirit”; the more we renounce ourselves, the more we “walk by the Spirit.” Through the Holy Spirit we are restored to paradise, led back to the Kingdom of heaven, and adopted as children, given confidence to call God “Father” and to share in Christ’s grace, called children of light and given a share in eternal glory.” Again we read, “The Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” (Gen.1:1). In everyone who believes, loves, and follows Jesus experiences the Spirit of God in day today life and every event that unfolds in our life. The Spirit of God is always with us and offers us the power to call God Father. “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you.” (Rom.8:11). We are called to live a new life. The Spirit of God is given to the Church to sanctify and to forgive the sins. In the first reading we reflect the maiden event of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. It is the same Spirit of God gives us the honour and privilege to be called children of God. “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” (Rom. 8:14) We who have received the Holy Spirit through the Sacrament of Baptism and sealed by the Sacrament of Confirmation encouraged to continue doing good. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Rom.12:21). It is the day we need to examine our relationship with the Holy Spirit. Do we invoke the Spirit of God once a year or on a daily basis? It is indeed hard to live a holy life without the guidance of the Spirit. “The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. (Rom.8:26). The responsorial Psalm intercedes, “Lord, send out your Spirit and renew the face of the earth.” (Ps.103:34). The second reading teaches us that the gifts of the Spirit is for the community not for personal glory. “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” (1 Cor.12:7). The unifying Spirit of God is seen in the diversity of gifts. In his exhortation, “On the Call to Holiness in Today’s World,” His holiness Pope Francis teaches us No.34: “Do not be afraid to set your sights higher, to allow yourself to be loved and liberated by God. Do not be afraid to let yourself be guided by the Holy Spirit. Holiness does not make you less human, since it is an encounter between your weakness and the power of God’s grace.” The Gospel invites us to continue the mission of love and forgiveness as an individual and as the Church. “Jesus breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” (Jn. 20:23). Let us not forget the Spirit of God in our life. May we communicate with the Spirit every move we make in our life. It is time to know our gifts and use them for the growth of the Church we belong. “Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Ga 5:22) be our life in the Spirit. Unless we experience the Spirit of God, we cannot express the mind of God in Christ. The best in us comes out when we walk and live by the Spirit. May you be guided by the Spirit of God all through the day. God bless you.