Passion of Christ Strengthen Me Through the passion of our Lord, through the working of the Holy Spirit, our lives are strengthened. We sing/recite the responsorial psalm every Mass, but this Sunday I urge you to pause and consider the plea contained in the refrain for Pentecost Sunday: “Lord, send out your Spirit and renew the face of the earth.” Twelve simple words contain our request to God to fulfill the promise of the Holy Spirit and our faith that it will renew the face of the earth – all of God’s works, including ourselves. We receive God’s inspiration and guidance by the Holy Spirit, as the Apostles did on Pentecost, and we will respond with a renewed commitment to believing and living His will. The signs of renewal are all around us this Pentecost Sunday. Lawns are greening up, flowers are blooming and blossoms promise fruit from our trees and bushes. God’s works are good, and that includes us. We have this opportunity (in all seasons, in fact) to consider the goodness of God and then to respond and open our hearts, minds and souls to guidance of the Holy Spirit. “Pleasing to him be my theme; I will be glad in the Lord” Renew your faith. Refresh your relationship with God. Bless the Lord and his works, as Psalm 104 reminds us. Welcome the Holy Spirit, as God renews us and the face of the earth. This is the binding force that strengthens us and prepares us for eternal life.
Contributions to this blog by Marguerite Herman, cantor