The lilies in this post belong to the family Gloriosa. I look upon them as nature's bow to Pentecost Sunday. Today's post includes:     - the scriptural account of the first Pentecost,         as recorded in Acts of the Apostles 2:1-11;        - today's Pause for Prayer     - and a song for celebrating this feast "When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled,     they were all in one place together...   "And suddenly there came from the sky       a noise like a strong ..read more

It's the eve of Pentecost, Lord,     and I pray for your Spirit to come and to hover,         above me, around me, within me... I pray that your Spirit surround and embrace     and fill and heal the hearts of all, especially, Lord, my family and friends     and those this night who are most in need         of your Spirit's powerful presence... I pray tonight for your Spirit to come     and envelop the world with freedom and peace, with mercy and pardon, with healing and joy ..read more

       Art4TheGlryOfGod by Sharon: Creative Commons license   Tweet    SUBSCRIBE HERE!    ..read more

It's taken me a long time, Lord, but I've finally learned:     when something's amiss on my laptop or smart phone     the first thing to do is  Reboot the device! It's so simple!      - Take a deep breath     - Shut things down     - Say a prayer!     - Hope for the best     - Be patient and wait     - Start over again   So many times, Lord, these simple steps     make all the difference in the world! But if I'm this clever with my laptop and ..read more

                                         Image source   What's the origin of our celebration of Pentecost?   Well, a feast of Pentecost (50 days) was very much in place long before the day when the Holy Spirit descended as tongues of fire and rested upon Jesus's friends - 50 days after Easter.   Consider these words from the first reading for Pentecost Sunday (emphasis added): When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place ..read more

Promises, promises, promises... I'm pretty good at making promises     - not so good at keeping them... I make promises to God     and promises to others         and promises to myself and when I make them,     I really mean to keep them,         every one of them     but way too often - I don't... I stall. I put things off. I "forget." I tell myself, "I can't." I just don't get around to it... Sometimes, I promise     too much,     too soon ..read more

I I need the gifts of your Spirit, Lord, and here's how I need them...   I need the Spirit's gift of WISDOM     to help me know what's real, true, genuine and in my own life I especially need your wisdom      in these situations         ______________________________           ______________________________           ______________________________       I need the Spirit's gift of UNDERSTANDING, Lord,     to faithf ..read more

Today's Pause for Prayer is quite different: from the early days of the church, a collection of quotes on how Christians are called to relate to and serve those in need.  I offer these ancient words for our reflection on the rigorous standard, the high bar they set.  Rather than accusing us, these words invite us to a deeper love for the Lord in the poor in whose guise he is always with us... Open our hearts, Lord,      to love you more generously, fully and freely by serving you in your need and your want      from the store of your bountiful ..read more

When something I write for my blog or a homily touches my readers and listeners, I can only thank God for the grace, the mystery of how the Spirit moves in my mind and my imagination, in my own prayer and in yours.  I had this experience this morning, preaching at a funeral mass, and so tonight, I thank God for the gifts that are mine to share... Thank you, Lord, for the gift of your grace      poured into my heart,     lifting my soul,     enlightening my mind     and sparking my imagination...   It's your grace, Lo ..read more

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