Symptoms of the Spirit

The story is told about a priest who forgot the names of the couple he was to marry the next Sunday. He prayed for guidance, then he announced: “Those wishing to be married, please see me after Mass.” Guess what? The couple, plus 10 old maids, came forward!

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Today is the Solemnity of Pentecost. The descent of the Holy Spirit upon the weak and timid disciples made them come forward to become brave and committed witnesses to the whole world.

Come, Holy Spirit, we need you especially during this pandemic!

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In today’s gospel (John 20, 19-23), the Risen Lord greeted His disciples “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you… Receive the Holy Spirit.” Our Lord tells us to go forward, to do our mission, and to be assured of His power and presence.

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GO FORWARD. The Lord asks us to keep going, and not to stop growing and loving. Going forward means leaving our comfort zones and our usual ways, even our worldly attachments and possessions. Let our prayer be: Come, Holy Spirit, reset my mindset!

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DO YOUR MISSION. It is the Lord who sends us to be instruments to tell the world of His love. This involves lots of hard work, sacrifices, and love. So, let our prayer be: Come, Holy Spirit, enkindle my heart with the fire of your love!

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YOU ARE NOT ALONE. We go forward, to do our mission with the Holy Spirit. It’s all grace. We are unworthy instruments who believe that God uses not so much the worthy instrument as the willing instrument. Let our prayer be: Come, Holy Spirit, stay with me, and dwell in my heart!

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As we celebrate 500 years of Christianity in our country, we thank God that the tree has grown big and taken root, but we also ask ourselves if the tree has borne fruits. We have been gifted. Have we given and are we continuously giving? As a people and as individuals, we must continuously ask ourselves: I have been gifted, what have I given?; I have been blessed, have I been a blessing to others?

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More than our functions and so-called achievements, the most important and visible thing in a disciple’s life should be the fruits of the Holy Spirit, namely: charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, and chastity (Gal. 5, 22-23).

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Sharing with you the “symptoms of inner peace”: Frequent attacks of smiling; frequent overwhelming episodes of appreciation; loss of interest in judging other people; loss of ability to worry; tendency to act based on hope, rather than on fear; ability to enjoy each moment; ability to give and receive love in spite of life’s problems; sharing whatever little you have with people having less in life. (If these symptoms persist, it means the Holy Spirit dwells in you!)

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I remember many times in my conversations with Mama, whenever I said something that touched her, or made an insight that moved her, she would tell me: “That’s the Holy Spirit, Jerry.” She was always in tune with the Holy Spirit, and very sensitive to the stirrings of the Divine. She always told me to pray first to the Holy Spirit before I speak or write. Thank you, dear loving and Spirit-filled Mama!

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Happy birthday, Mother Church! May this pandemic purify and humble us, so that we become more open and docile to the Holy Spirit. May the Holy Spirit lead us to new ways of thinking and doing mission that is closer to the heart of our Master. Amen!

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A moment with the Lord: Lord, give us the courage to come forward, strength to do our mission, and the constant indwelling of Your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.

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