Gifts From the Spirit

Card from my sister, to ensure peace:)

With the feast of Pentecost comes other things that seem to relate well with all that's been going on for me. It's such a special and beautiful feast, to close out the Easter season and enter into Ordinary time. This Easter season has been such a different one, unlike any before with churches and Masses closed and this Paschal feast celebrated from home. And this upcoming Ordinary time will be anything but 'ordinary' with all the changes and unique experiences ahead.

As I was reflecting upon the feast of Pentecost, I couldn't help but think about the similarities, the ties that seemed to bond what this feast is about and what Mary and the apostles experienced on that blessed day, the birthday of our church. It was a day exuded with peace, unity and a deep trust in God's presence, the gift of the Holy Spirit. Upon Confirmation, we receive the special graces and gifts from the Holy Spirit to lead us, and guide us on our faith journey.

With the end of the Easter season comes also the end of the school year. And what a school year it has been!! I came back to my school workplace with an empty and vastly eerie feel to the silent and bare campus that was once before crowded, vibrant with noise, students and activity. I opened my classroom, locked doors they have been for weeks on end, and I was suddenly flooded with memories, memories of students, classwork, Math and English lessons, conversations and an abounding peace and enjoyment through it all.

The doors were also locked when Jesus came in and stood in their midst and brought them the gift of His peace, and their hearts were aflame with love, joy, trust and peace. On the feast of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit comes to set a fire to their hearts, their minds and a deep wisdom and understanding of this spirit; tongues of fire and a sense if unity with various languages spoken and coming together as one faith, one church.

Yesterday would also be the feast of the Visitation, when Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth who was pregnant with John the Baptist. This summer we will be taking care of my dear nephew, Santiago and with all of it will come generosity, service, sacrifice, love and joy. Mary experienced this too with the travels to see her cousin and extend herself. Elizabeth was touched by Mary's generosity but also the gift of Jesus in her womb.

With still a sense of uncertainty up ahead and a busy, fun, eventful summer here, I want to entrust these intentions, and thoughts to the peace and confidence of the Holy Spirit to guide, lead and pour out upon us the graces and gifts needed.