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Men of Epiphany will be meeting this Saturday, May 26th, 6:30 a.m. in the Hearth room. If you can make it, this study is a marvelous preparation for each week's Mass readings.

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Being Real Men, Being Holy Men, Being Men of God

Being Filled with the Divine Life of the Holy Spirit,

The Fire of God’s Love in Our Heart

Sunday, May 27, 2007
Pentecost
Acts 2:1-11
Psalm 104:1,24,29-31,34
1 Corinthians 12:3-7,12-13
John 20:19-23

Click here for readings  (For quick review only; bring your Bible)

On this day of celebration, we are brought back to the upper room to be with the disciples when they first met the risen Lord. John tells us that when Jesus came to them, he showed them his hands and side, and that this is what caused the disciples to rejoice (John 20:20). There was something about seeing Jesus’ wounds—now glorified—that thrilled their hearts.

We don’t have to look too hard to identify the work of the Holy Spirit here. It was the Spirit who showed the disciples that Jesus didn’t just come back from the dead; he actually defeated death and was declared Lord of heaven and earth. By the Spirit, they realized that because of Jesus’ wounds they too could be filled with divine life, just as their Master was. And this revelation filled them with excitement.

Brothers, the Holy Spirit wants to give all of us the same revelation. After all, this is what Pentecost is all about—seeing Jesus in a whole new way. Whenever we pray, whenever we go to Mass, the Spirit wants to reveal Jesus to our hearts—his love, his mercy, and his power. He wants to break down the walls that keep us trapped in a narrow, shallow understanding of God’s plan. He wants to do this so that he can form us into a people on fire with love for him, willing to surrender our lives to him, and eager to bring his good news to a wounded world.

We don’t have to fear the Holy Spirit. He may come in fire, but only to burn away the things that keep us from Jesus. We can carry so much “baggage” in our hearts—fears, anxieties, and resentments. But by the power of the cross, the Holy Spirit wants to lighten our load so that we can embrace Jesus as our just and loving Savior who wants the very best for us.

“Jesus, I want to rejoice in you just as the apostles did. Holy Spirit, burn away everything that keeps me from your presence. Come, Spirit, and give me a new revelation of Jesus.”

1. Many of us are disconnected from the reality of God’s astonishing and overpowering gift of himself to us in the Holy Spirit. He is not a namby-pamby Spirit, but one of energy and joy that inspires love and confidence. What steps can you take to open yourself to this gift?
2. In the first reading, we recall the events of the day of Pentecost, the descent of the Holy Spirit and the phenomena accompanying it. Through this miraculous work, we see the Holy Spirit becoming the unifier of all of us. How can you use the presence of the Holy Spirit to strengthen the unity of your men’s fellowship group?
3. The responsorial psalm speaks of God renewing the face of the earth. This renewal begins with each one of us. What renewal does God want to make in your life?
4. The second reading reminds us that the Holy Spirit works in each of us differently in order to benefit the whole Church. What gifts do you have that can be used to build up the Church? How can you use them for the benefit of others in your family? Is there something more your men's fellowship could do to benefit your parish?
5. Pope John Paul II has reminded us over and over again that the commission Christ gave the Church in today’s Gospel – “as the Father has sent me, so I send you” – was not meant just for the Apostles, but rather for each of us believers. We all share in the responsibility to tell the world of the great news of God’s love for us in Jesus Christ! What can you do in the upcoming weeks to share this Good News with others?
6. The meditation speaks of the baggage (“fears, anxieties, and resentments”) in our hearts that keeps us from Jesus. It also speaks of the power of the Cross, the Holy Spirit, and God’s love. How can these graces that are so readily available in the Church’s sacraments and in your men’s fellowship group, help you deal with this baggage? Take some time to pray with one another for a deeper infilling of the Holy Spirit in your life.

Come Holy Spirit!  ~  Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and en kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your spirit and they are created, and you renew the face of the earth. Let us pray: O God, you taught the hearts of your faithful by sending them the light of your Holy Spirit. In that same spirit give us your right judgment and the joy of your consolation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

Prayer to St. Joseph  ~  Glorious St. Joseph, guide and protector of the Holy Family, we ask that you obtain for us from your son, Jesus, the strength and wisdom to lead our families to their Father in heaven. Most Chaste spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may we imitate your obedience to the will of God and be ever mindful of the vocation to which we have been called. Amen