Dear sisters and brothers,
This Sunday we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost. Our children who are preparing to celebrate confirmation will also re-light their baptismal candles this weekend. Confirmation is the sacrament of the fullness of the Holy Spirit, the gift that we first receive in baptism. The light of the baptismal candle is a reminder to them and to us of the gift of the flame of faith that rests upon us through baptism and confirmation. Let us pray for them and their families that this flame of faith may continue to burn brightly within them.
Pentecost is the feast day of the birth of a missionary Church. The Holy Spirit flows over the Church today. There is ancient Latin prayer called Veni sancte spiritus (Come Holy Spirit) dating from the 13th century. It is the prayer, known as the Sequence, that we say together after the second reading on this feast day. Below is a powerful, contemporary translation of this prayer. It is worth taking some time to ponder this prayer on the Feast of Pentecost:
Send me no more messages or messengers, even if they come from heaven.
You come. Please. I’m begging. Come.
Help me not to feel so poor; shed some light in my heart;
bring what no-one else can give, dearest house-guest of my heart.
You are sweet refreshment, rest from this toil, cool in this heat, relief for this pain.
Help me to believe again. Make some glimmer in this deep.
Shine on wealth where I see naught.
Wash over all this grime; water this dry parched earth;
heal these tired old wounds.
See me taut and bend me; feel me cold and warm me;
find me lost and bring me back.
I can count your seven gifts, make me know then that I need them.
Give me reward, too, for small dear efforts, salvation at the end, joy that lasts.
May the joyful Spirit of Pentecost be with you.
Fr. Anthony
| Date Posted | Title | Listen | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 24, 2016 | Pentecost Sunday 15.05.2016 | Listen | Download |