From Wimps To Warriors

When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled,

they were all in one place together.

And suddenly there came from the sky

a noise like a strong driving wind,

and it filled the entire house in which they were.

Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire,

which parted and came to rest on each one of them.

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit

and began to speak in different tongues,

as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem.

At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd,

but they were confused

because each one heard them speaking in his own language.

They were astounded, and in amazement, they asked,

"Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans?

Then how does each of us hear them in his native language?

We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites,

inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia,

Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia,

Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene,

as well as travelers from Rome,

both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans, and Arabs,

yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues

of the mighty acts of God."

Okay. let's be honest here.  The Apostles were doing what most organizations do when they haven't a clue what the next step should be.  They were hanging around and they decided to have a meeting. They were afraid because of their enemies, the Temple Gang still had it in for them and would like nothing more than to arrest them and if not getting them killed by the Romans, well, maybe they could persuade Pilate to send these people to mine salt for the glory and honor of Caesar. This was not something that they had on their agenda. So they went to the upper room and held a meeting or two.  

They had forgotten much of what Jesus said to do after He died and so they were confused and afraid. The door was locked and securely barred, no one would be able to get in, they were safe for the moment.  Then a mighty blew and the Holy Spirit descended on them and reminded them of all that Jesus taught.  The Spirit also filled their hearts with courage and the could not get the bar off the door fast enough.  Outside the crowd was amazed as each heard the Apostles speaking in their own language! 

The Word of God was being preached loudly and without concern for personal safety by men that just minutes before would jump at every little sound.  God's word was going to get out into the wild and these men were the unlikely crew that would get it done!  From this moment on, God had a voice on this earth, a voice that would not be stilled, that cannot be silent in the face of injustice.  It is a voice that carries a sword to slay injustice wherever it finds it and a palm branch to make peace with those who want peace. 

It is amazing how much we resemble the Apostles.  We, like them, are unable to move, afraid, timid, and thinking of our own comfort and safety. That is until we allow the Holy Spirit into our lives and allow Him to energize all that we do.  We have no power on our own, only the inexhaustible power that comes from the Holy Spirit.  It is through Him that we can and will do all things.  So, retire to the upper room.  Sit there and mull over what needs to be done, that's okay, but then call on the Holy Spirit to get you on your feet and out the door.  Your talent and His power is all you have but then again, what else do you need?  Happy Birthday, Catholic Church and many, many more!

According to tradition, St. Gertrude the Great was told by Our Lord that the following prayer, each time she piously recited it, would release 1,000 souls (or a vast number) from their suffering in purgatory:

“Eternal Father,
I offer You the most precious blood
of thy Divine Son, Jesus,
in union with the Masses said
throughout the world today,
for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory,
for sinners everywhere,
for sinners in the universal Church,
for those in my own home,
and in my family. Amen.”