May 27, 2012 was the commemoration of the coming of the Paraclete, the HOLY SPIRIT – “a promise fulfilled” by Jesus to his disciples. Since it was an anticipated Mass on May 26, it served as a vigil in preparation for the feast.
Despite the humidity that evening the faithful started to pile up. We looked at the inner part of the chapel, but decided to position ourselves outside, adjacent to the nearby restaurants where vacant stools, “Thank God,” were available. The Holy Rosary was being prayed when we arrived. Right after it, the Greenbelt Chapel’s Emmanuel Catholic Charismatic Community, which was celebrating its 19th anniversary, performed a lively interpretative dance.
The Holy Eucharist soon began and, as we arose for the opening procession, I was awed to see that the presiding priest was Most Reverend Bishop Teodoro Bacani, assisted by our Chaplain Rev. Jun Sescon. The First Reading was taken from the Book of Genesis, Re: The Tower of Babel, while the Gospel, which was proclaimed by Fr. Jun, was taken from the St. John. Bishop Bacani gave his insights on both,stating that in the First Reading, man aimed to be great, while in the Gospel, God leads man to be great. The first Pentecost made the apostles energetic, enthusiastic, confident and bolder. They were able to share to others that life has more to offer through Jesus. If in this Pentecost we are impassive and like a dead pan, the Holy Spirit is far away from us. We are like spoiled prunes, tasteless, worthless and need to be trashed.
Before the Holy Mass actually began that evening, a young lady slowly walked out of the Chapel towards where we were seated. She seemed to be near fainting, so we, my family and I and the elderly couple seated beside us, hurried to assist her, gave her a seat and a glass of water and tried to massage her back to help her gain back her strength.
We, as followers of Christ, though sinners, are given opportunities to perform the acts of charity that are required of us. The incident about the young lady reminded me why we were there. What must be done and for whom should we do these acts? If I may speak (again to reiterate that I’m a miserable sinner) that the Holy Spirit moved all involved in order that some may experience Jesus from other humans. Jesus reminded us “that whatever we do to others, we do it to Him”. As we face head-on all the challenges, trials, problems, concerns, and the pain staking, mind blowing and heart stroking issues of life, we should never look for excuses from doing good to others. Though we may stumble and fall, we must rise. Though we may become selfish, deceitful, arrogant, envious, greedy or miserable, we must pray and repent,to realize that opportunity sent by God for us to redeem ourselves. May the Gifts of the Holy Spirit be with us! God bless.
- by Michael Francis D. Tondares
——————————————————
Reflection:
The Bread We Thought to be Lacking But Ultimately Fills Us Up
Pentecost Sunday celebrates the end of the Easter season and the celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit. I can only imagine the fear of Jesus’ followers, human as they were, as Jesus went up to heaven, physically leaving their presence. Thomas even doubted Jesus’ resurrection.
This celebration lifts me up and makes me humble.
It lifts me up as it reminds me that God is always with us and that He values us so much that He gave us His only Son to save all of us. It also reminds me of God’s promise of salvation for all of us upon our turning away from sin and following His will. Pentecost celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit, marking the birth of the Church.
The feast reminds us that we have a constant companion in the Holy Spirit. I am humbled by the fact that everyday our God joins us in His being. Who am I that I would have constant watch over me and have divine guidance in all my actions? I believe we all wish to be led and be used as His instruments. For our lives are not to be lived to pursue only our own success, but to help others find meaning in their lives too.
“The fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, kindness, generosity, gentleness and self-control. Against such there is no law” – Gal 5:22-23
The Holy Spirit is God’s gift to us. For me, the Holy Spirit, with God, helps me achieve great things. Just like when Jesus’ friends were all in the same room when the Holy Spirit descended upon them, we are all called to be messengers of the Good News and no job could be greater. They were made able to speak many languages, we can as well through our actions that need no words to reach out and touch lives and pull other people closer to God towards salvation.
- by Paul Alvarez