 |
| Image URL |
En français
“Come Holy
Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your
love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the
face of the earth.”
The Catholic liturgy we are
celebrating now, remembering Jesus' death, resurrection and ascension, makes me
think about our current situation, during the Covid-19 pandemic. The apostles
were afraid to die. They avoided meeting other people; they were confined to
locked doors.
Although Jesus warned them
that the moment, for Him, to die was close, and then He would rise, the
disciples did not understand very well the reality that was about to happen. When
it happened, and due to the brutal way how Jesus was tortured and crucified,
they were terrified, despite what Jesus had said to them: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as
the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. You
heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me,
you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than
I. I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will
believe.” (John, 14:27-29)
After the resurrection, Jesus appeared among
them several times, teaching them many things, which became more and more
clear, under the action of the Holy Spirit infused in them, even before
Pentecost (John 20: 21-22).
Jesus directed them to preach his teachings and to make disciples of all the
nations. He also said that He would be with them [us] always, to the end of the age
(Matthew 28: 17-20).
The apostles were very
happy, though still fearful, always behind closed doors. After forty days,
Jesus ascended to Heaven (40th day after Easter); He promised the coming of the
Holy Spirit, at Pentecost (50th day after Easter).
The description
of Jesus’ Ascension into Heaven makes me astonished, so were the apostles who
witnessed the phenomenon, when Jesus disappeared. To the point of being asked by two angels: “Men of Galilee, why do you stand here
looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven,
will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven. ” (Acts 1: 9-11)
According to the Scriptures,
the apostles were filled with joy after that; waiting for the Holy Spirit to
come, they were together in one place, also with Our Lady. When the Spirit came
upon them, they were reinforced in faith, courage, understanding of the Word of
God, received the gift of speaking other languages, went out preaching Jesus'
teachings around the world and doing wonders in His name, as promised.
They were no longer afraid
of being captured and martyred, they faced everything and everyone. They
detached themselves from the things of the world, turned entirely to God,
following the Way, the Truth and the Life – which is Jesus.
Let us practise this
detachment, too. Of course, we are also afraid of dying, we want to live longer
to better carry out this journey in the world. But let's not forget that we
received sacraments that give us the graces to strengthen us and for us prepare
ourselves to face everything.
Each one can have his/her
own “Pentecost” which is the sacrament of Confirmation - we have to assume our
faith, of our own free will, when we are confirmed, and live for it. If someone
has already received the sacrament at a younger age, without having yet a
mature knowledge of its validity and importance, he/she does not need to
receive it again, because the infusion imprinted on the soul does not go out;
just be aware and seek their effects on the heart - they are there (Gifts of the Holy Spirit).
Let's take advantage of this
time of confinement to meditate on all of this...
“Let us
pray. O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of
the faithful, grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise and ever to rejoice
in His consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.”
~~~~
Related links:
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário