Pentecost Sunday
When I was younger, if I became nervous or anxious about something, like a school presentation, a speech, or writing a reflection for the Online Spiritual Journey, my mom would tell me, “Breath in the Holy Spirit and breath out the Holy Spirit.”
Jesus in the Gospel today breathes on the disciples and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” When we have deep trust in the Lord just like the eleven, Jesus breathes on us the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Once we receive these gifts we also receive our “orders.” We have a mission, and that mission is precisely what the Holy Spirit gave to Our Lady and the eleven on Pentecost. We go out and we spread the Gospel to all nations!
Today would have also been the Feast of the Visitation of Mary and Elizabeth. This feast is a very special one for me. In a way, it was like my Pentecost; it was 19 years ago today that I consecrated myself to the Blessed Mother. St. John the Baptist, received his “orders” in the womb of Elizabeth, recognizing her cousin Mary’s voice and also the voice of the Holy Spirit within Our Lady. He leaped for joy when he heard her greeting because he knew that the Son of God was within her. When hearing our Lady’s greeting 19 years ago, I also received my orders to help win souls for her Son’s kingdom.
But you might be thinking, “how can I do this under quarantine?” I remember one of our monks, Fr. Augustine Dreiling, telling me three months before he passed away, “if you work for Jesus, work hard but keep it simple.” How do we work simply? The simplest way is to start off small and show love, whether that smiling someone, from a family member to a stranger, or setting aside time to pray. Always remember that love covers a multitude of sins.
Reflection by Br. Maximilian Burkhart, OSB
Posted in Articles for Lent, Daily Reflections, Lenten Resources