God’s Active Holy Presence

Dear friends on the journey,

In these last weeks of the Easter season, we hear in the gospels that Jesus is preparing his disciples for his ascension. While Jesus no longer appeared to the disciples in physical form, they still experienced his presence through the promised Advocate, the Holy Spirit, the outpouring of God’s perfect love. Jesus often spoke of God’s love and taught his disciples how to live according to it. This love became present to the first Christians through the Holy Spirit. Despite facing persecution, they found peace and strength because of the Holy Spirit’s presence. This divine love empowered them to continue Jesus’ mission.

In the first reading, we see the Holy Spirit help the apostles in making important decisions by providing clarity and direction. She was crucial in resolving issues and uniting the early Church. The second reading demonstrates that God is not confined to a specific place or building, but rather God’s Spirit, is present always and everywhere.

The role of the Holy Spirit didn’t end with the apostles. She has continued to guide the Church, offering wisdom and support to leaders and believers alike so that the Church remains faithful to the mission of Christ. No better example than that of the recent election of our new pontiff, Pope Leo X1V, who seems to me to be an authentic, wise, servant leader whose entire life and priesthood has been entrusted to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Today, we are reminded of the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, in our own lives, in whom we too can find peace, strength, clarity, direction, and wisdom, who can help us resolve issues, make good decisions, and discern God’s will for us.
I recently came across this short but powerful prayer to the Holy Spirit. Attributed to St. Augustine, this prayer invites the Holy Spirit into active participation in our lives - to breathe, act, draw, strengthen, and guard us - so that we may open ourselves to God’s movement in and will for our lives. 
 
       Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.
      Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.
      Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy.
      Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.
      Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy.
      Amen. 

This prayer and today’s readings encourage us to recognize the presence of Godin our lives, in our hearts and in the world around us. This constant presence is a source of peace and strength, helping us to navigate life’s challenges with faith and confidence. ​​

Let us embrace this truth and open our hearts to the Holy Spirit so that we can live our lives with the assurance that God is guiding us every step of the way.

​Siempre Adelante,


Teresa Runyon


Pastoral Associate

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