Gifts/Fruits

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Gifts/Fruits

Tongues     Fire

Pour Out     Fill     Renew

Manifestation of the Spirit

Proclaim

(photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scriptures:   Acts 2: 1 to 4

When the time of Pentecost had come, the apostles were gathered in one place. Suddenly a powerful noise like a strong driving wind filled the whole house where they were. Then there came tongues of fire, which parted and rested on each one of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and started to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit led them to proclaim.

First Corinthians 12: 4 to 7

There are many different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different works but the same God who leads all of them in everyone. To each person the manifestation of the Spirit is poured out for good.

Reflection

Time to celebrate the Holy Spirit!

Jesus promised the apostles that He would send them the Holy Spirit to guide them as they took on the mission of proclaiming the Good News. True to His word, the Holy Spirit came to the apostles on the Jewish Feast of Pentecost---a Feast that celebrated the Spring Harvest. 

The Spirit came with gifts that enabled the apostles to produce amazing fruits in their ministry. God is generous and holds nothing back. God gives us what we need to spread the message of liberation and love.

Just think of the amazing transformation that happens to the apostles. They go from gathering in fear and uncertainty where Jesus celebrated the Last Supper with them to proclaiming the Gospel message with boldness. Talk about a big change!

It shows us what the Holy Spirit can do in our lives if we are open to receiving the gifts that the Spirit wants to share with us. We are capable of more than we think we can do because the Spirit will lead us.

Paul emphasizes in his First Letter to the Corinthians that the Spirit is given to each person. We can always tend to say that it is up to someone else to spread the Gospel. We can look at others as more talented or more articulate. 

No such excuses are possible when we reflect on the generosity of the Holy Spirit. We all have gifts that we have been given that are important to build up the Body of Christ.

Get ready to be gifted and show your fruits!

1. How do you feel the Holy Spirit is working in your life?

2. Have you ever felt that it is up to others to spread the Gospel?

3. What do you feel as you reflect on Kathy's photo?

(scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara)