From the Deacon’s Desk: Prayer and Inspirational Thoughts
Potential! That’s what that frightened band of men – the apostles – that’s what they had until that Pentecost so long ago. The Spirit descended upon them and suddenly this cowardly, frightened group became enabled and emboldened by the Spirit to do all that they were called to do. Their potential was unlocked and unleashed. Their fears were overcome! He gifted the apostles with the Holy Spirit to guide and protect them, and so too He gifts us. We are reminded on this Pentecost weekend that the presence of the Spirit of God is a fact. Our Antiphon says “Lord send out your Spirit and renew the face of the earth.” We are the carriers of that Spirit. We are called to be that renewal of the face of the earth. We are encouraged to trust in the presence of that Spirit that formed the followers of Jesus – that made it possible for them to jump into the whole experience of being church – to realize their full potential.
Sometimes our fears can hold us back from becoming what we could be or from sharing the gifts that God has blessed us with. Sometimes the differences we perceive in others can stop us from getting to know them. Sometimes our hardness of heart and anger can take from us the peace God wants us to have. He calls us now to trust in Him. We are called to open our hands and our hearts and receive those same gifts God gave Jesus’ disciples. We are called to do the Father’s work. We are called to go make disciples of all nations. But we need not go far. For it starts here with each of us and in our community, in our home. When we walk with the Spirit and trust in the Spirit and use our gifts, it is like tongues of fire spreading out and touching all those around us. When we infect others with the Spirit we begin to build a place where people live together in peace and justice, a place where we see that no one lacks necessities, where we too can be described by the quote “see how they love one another.” Using the gifts God has given each of us, we honor God and we honor one another.
God is with us – here and now. He wants to embrace us in His love and have us realize our full potential. The question is whether we resist, or throw ourselves into the Spirit of God and let that Spirit move us and form us and make us what we are supposed to be? God is here in our midst regardless of what we do or who we are or how we act. He calls us out of the darkness and into the light. He fills our hearts with the fire of His love and calls us to be the renewal of the earth. We need to embrace and realize our potential!
As Vincentians, we renew our commitment to take Christ out into the world, confident that the Spirit is with us and in us. We are a sent community whom the breath of God has touched, a community of Vincentians called church, sent to bring hope into the midst of despair. In new and creative ways, we bring hope to so many in need. It may be someone who is hurting financially, emotionally or spiritually – someone who is in need of the presence of Christ in their lives. We may be the lifeline God is extending to them. We may make the difference in their lives by how we react. The Spirit – and our spirituality – must become a part of the very fabric of who we are. For God has sent His Spirit into our hearts. Will I submit to God’s will in my life and in the lives of others? Will I let the Spirit work through me to bring hope to others? Will I allow my potential – the potential given me by God – to be fully realized during this time of need?
God our Father, thank you for the gift of your presence in our lives through the Holy Spirit who walks with us and the Eucharist – the very Body and Blood of your Son – which nourishes us for the journey each day. Help me to find ways to be your light shining through the darkness to bring hope to those who are hurting. Allow me to open myself up that you might use me fully and completely as I minister to others – helping them to see your Love and compassion through me, that they may recognize the Hope present in their lives and find Faith once again. Let me always recognize your presence in my life that I might share that very presence out with others. I pray all of this in your Son’s name. Amen
Deacon Mike