Outpouring

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Outpouring

Holy Spirit

Descending   Equipping   Filling

Tongues As Of Fire

Mission

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Acts of the Apostles 2: 1 to 4

It was the feast of Pentecost, and the disciples were gathered together. 

Suddenly there came a loud noise. It was a strong powerful wind, and it filled the entire house. 

Then tongues of fire came, and they divided and came to rest on each one of them.

They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages as the Holy Spirit inspired them.

Reflection

What is it like to be filled with the Holy Spirit?

This reading from the Acts of the Apostles gives us a clue. The clearest thing that happens is that when you receive an outpouring of the Holy Spirit like the disciples did on Pentecost Sunday, you are changed profoundly.

The disciples go from being afraid of being arrested to boldly proclaiming the Good News about Jesus. Talk about a change!

Jesus said that He would not leave the disciples alone. He wanted to send the Holy Spirit to them to strengthen them and assist them in their mission. 

The Holy Spirit comes to us today also. Jesus knows that we need help in our life every day. We have difficult choices to make and challenges to overcome. It is so consoling to realize that we are never alone.

I feel the power of the Holy Spirit in many ways: sometimes when I am teaching, I am inspired to cover something that was not in the lesson plan. I wonder where it came from; and I realize the Holy Spirit is helping me.

During the day many times the name of someone I haven't thought about will pop into my consciousness. I realize that it is the Holy Spirit asking me to reach out to that person.

There are times when I will be walking down the street and pass someone who seems upset. A kind word or smile inspired by the Holy Spirit helps the situation. 

Kathy's photo sums it up for me: the Holy Spirit helps me and all of us in our mission today just as the Holy Spirit helped the disciples on Pentecost Sunday to overcome their fears.

We can have some of those same fears: will people reject us when we try to reach out to them? The Holy Spirit can help us.

God is generous and the outpouring has never stopped!

1. How has the Holy Spirit helped you?

2. What are some of the fears that you have had to overcome to follow the mission of sharing the Good News?

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

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