Bountiful Gifts

Last night, I joined the thousands of people who flocked at the Sacred Heart Plaza of the Diocese of Catarman for the 20^th Diocesan Pentecost Celebration. Pentecost is considered as the birthday of the Catholic Church.

This is what the third glorious mystery which is the Descent of the Holy Spirit is all about. This is when the Risen Lord appeared before the apostles in a closed room and removed their fears and anxieties and animated them to proclaim their faith in various languages and across the world. This event was characterized by the wondrous interplay of the wind, the tongues of fire and the overpowering light which physically and visually signify the presence of the Holy Spirit. It was the day when the Lord commissioned the apostles to evangelize the world and tell the people about God’s love and kingdom.

As for me, Pentecost is the day when God showers His bountiful blessings to His people. These gifts are enough to live life full of meaning. These include wisdom, knowledge, understanding, counsel, fortitude, piety, and fear of the Lord. These are perfect gifts no one can ask for more. And, what a wonderful life and a world we would have if all are just open to receive these gifts.

I have to admit I have been missing the Holy Spirit in my life for such a long time. Yes, I regularly go to Church yet I can still feel emptiness. This is because I am drowned to a lot of noise in this world especially those that are work-related. I am drowned to worldly cares and so many others things. How I miss now those days when I am almost just a few steps away from God’s Kingdom. Now, I realized I have to pray more and invoke the Holy Spirit more often.

When the Risen Lord appeared to the apostles, He greeted them “Peace be with you” Yes, peace is a precondition to receiving His gifts. Peace is the absence of guilt or ill feelings, anxiety and fear. If these negativities are removed in our lives, our hearts would be like a large basket that is open to all wondrous gifts from God.

Therefore, let us all strive to be peaceful and to propagate His peace all over the world.