Has society become too self-sufficient? Have we set aside our need for God? This pandemic should serve as a reminder that we, the human race, are vulnerable. This is followed by “O how we need you” in recognition of our dependence on the grace and mercy of God. Israel Houghton’s opening phrase, “Come, Holy Spirit” suggests an invitation, a willingness to accept the Holy Spirit into our lives, into our being. The story can be found in Acts 2 where the description of roaring winds and tongues of fire reveal the presence of the Spirit of God. It commemorates the Holy Spirit descending upon the disciples of Jesus and is considered the birthday of the Christian church. Pentecost Sunday is celebrated on the fiftieth day after Easter. Kudos to their director for drawing out such beautiful tones and emotions. It begins with “Come, Holy Spirit” and incorporates “I Need Thee Every Hour,” “Praise the Name of Jesus,” and “How Great is Our God.” The video lasts 14 minutes and 14 seconds, but I encourage you to watch it to the end. Amen.The performance in this link is by the Our Lady of Good Counsel High School Gospel Choir of 2018. Let us pray, O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant us in the same Spirit, to be truly wise and ever to rejoice in His consolation.

And you shall renew the face of the earth.

Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created.

1832).Ĭome, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and kindle in them the fire of Your love. Let’s spend some time praying and reflecting on the Pentecost Day readings from the Sunday Missal and from the Bible, especially on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit (Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety and Fear of the Lord – Isaiah 11: 1-2 or CCC no.1831) and the Fruits of the Holy Spirit (Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Generosity, Gentleness, Faithfulness, Modesty, Self-Control and Chastity – Galatians 5:22-23 or CCC no.

We pray that the Holy Spirit empowers us for the mission that Jesus has assigned us “to be His witness … to the ends of the earth,” (Acts 1:8). The Holy Spirit empowered the Apostles to carry out the great commission, “to go out and preach to all nations, (Luke 24:46-49). Even if we experience hardship, anxiety, and fear, we need to keep our faith alive and cheerful during this new-normal of way of life. On this Pentecost Day, the Spirit of God has come to us as a life-giving breath to refresh our hearts once again to go forth proclaiming the Good News, and to carry out the mission of the Church in the world – boldly and enthusiastically. However, once they were vaccinated, I noticed that they appeared relieved, cheerful and even gallant, as they walked away like they had been given a new lease on life as though the Spirit had come as a life-giving essence to refresh and renew their weary hearts. Recently, when I was at the Vaccination Centre, I observed that people who arrived for either their first or second vaccination doses, appeared anxious, fearful and perhaps a little apprehensive, as they entered the Centre. Although our journey from Easter Sunday to Pentecost has been somewhat dampened and saddened by the suspension of in-person Masses in our Churches, let us take courage and heart in acknowledging the promise of the Holy Spirit “and I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever.” (John 14:16) However, due to the pandemic and the MCO, we have not been able to celebrate in-person the Feast of Pentecost these past couple of years. Pentecost marks 50 days after Easter, when Christians celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples. In light of this, we must all remain vigilant and responsible to fight this deadly virus. These emerging variants are more transmittable and increase the spread of this deadly virus.

Everyone is worried, especially with the emergence of two new highly mutating Coronavirus strains.

Within just one month, the number of Covid-19 cases in our country has multiplied rapidly, reaching all-time highs and pushing up the death toll.

Come holy spirit i need you