Pentecost, 7th week of Easter commentaries and readings, Preparation for Pentecost

PRACTICAL TIPS ON THE PREPARATION FOR PENTECOST.

PRACTICAL TIPS IN PREPARATION FOR PENTECOST.

It is a beautiful long-standing tradition in the Catholic Church to interiorly prepare for Pentecost Sunday during which the Church commemorates the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, fulfilling thus what Our Lord promised before ascending into heaven that He will send us the “Paraclete”, “Consoler” or the “Advocate”.

Usually, the 10-day preparation begins on the Ascension Thursday (in some countries, Ascension is celebrated during this day, while in others on the 7th Sunday of Easter). But don’t worry if you are just starting now. It is better than nothing at all. What is important is to spend these days dealing more with God the Holy Spirit.

GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE THIRD PERSON OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY and He is the LOVE WHICH “PROCEEDS FROM THE FATHER AND THE SON.”

  • He is the SANCTIFIER, the One who makes us holy, shapes Our Lord Jesus Christ’s image and life in us if we are faithful and obedient to His grace.
  • This is the reason why WE MUST ALSO LEARN TO HAVE AN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM BEING DOCILE TO THE INSPIRATIONS HE SENDS US MANY TIMES DURING THE DAY SO AS TO STAY ON THE PATH OF LOVE FOR GOD, THE PATH TOWARDS HOLINESS, which is nothing but OUR IDENTIFICATION WITH CHRIST, “TO BE OTHER CHRIST’S, CHRIST HIMSELF (ALTER CHRISTUS, IPSE CHRISTUS – St. Josemaria) ”.

HOW CAN WE PREPARE OURSELVES FOR PENTECOST? Here are some practical tips  😀

  1. Seek a PERSONAL and LOVING FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT all throughout the day making use of “HUMAN DEVICES (click here)” to REMIND YOURSELF OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, PRAY TO HIM AND INVOKE HIM.
  • An example of a human device is the following: whenever you see a DOVE, a BIRD or any FLYING CREATURE for that matter (all these creatures were created by God and thus are good), say an aspiration like “COME, HOLY SPIRIT, FILL THE HEARTS OF YOUR FAITHFUL”; “GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT, LORD, THE GIVER OF LIFE, COME AND REST IN MY SOUL”; “COME HOLY SPIRIT, HELP ME BE DOCILE TO YOUR INSPIRATIONS” etc.
  • Other symbols of the Holy Spirit, aside from a dove, are: fire, clouds, and hands (imposition of hands).
    • You could make your own human device invoking the Holy Spirit when you light the gas stove, a candle, or for smokers, a cigarette (=fire, flame);
    • When you see clouds in the blue sky
    • Or when you wash your hands 😀

2. LEARN A PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT and pray it everyday whenever you want (when you wake up, when you start working, before giving a talk, class, conversation or meeting, before doing your daily examination of conscience at night…). Click HERE.

3. MEDITATE ON THE ACTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN OUR SOUL (click here), ON HIS GIFTS AND FRUITS (click here).

4. Be DOCILE to the many inspirations He whispers to your ear in your personal prayer, encouraging you to do what is good and avoid what is harmful or evil, or what can offend God or other people.

Love the Third Person of the most Blessed Trinity. Listen in the intimacy of your being to the divine motions of encouragement or reproach you receive from him. Walk through the earth in the light that is poured out in your soul. And the God of hope will fill us with all peace, so that this hope may grow in us more and more each day, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

(St. Josemaria).

Dear friends, as St. Josemaria said, the Holy Spirit is the “Great Unknown” for among the Three Persons of the Most Blessed Trinity, He is the least dealt with. During these days, may we get to know Him, deal with Him more, in a loving and intimate friendship, convinced that WE ARE NOT ALONE… THE HOLY SPIRIT, LIVING IN OUR SOUL IN GRACE — GOD WITH US, — IS GIVING A SUPERNATURAL TONE TO ALL OUR THOUGHTS, DESIRES AND ACTIONS (cfr. St. Josemaria, “The Way,” n. 273)

PHOTO  CREDIT: TITIAN (painter) , Pentecost.

SEE AS WELL:
THE ROLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE LIFE OF A CHRISTIAN HERE.
BEAUTIFUL QUOTES ON THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR YOUR PERSONAL MEDITATION HERE.

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Thanks and God bless you and your loved ones! Fr. Rolly Arjonillo.