Today\u2019s readings highlight the reality of the Holy Spirit, not only in the lives of the first disciples of Jesus but in our own lives. The experience of these men and women urges us to listen to the Spirit by paying attention to moments of insight and inspiration that can enrich our spiritual growth<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Acts 2:1-11<\/strong>\u00a0 The first reading from the Acts of the Apostles tells the story of today\u2019s Christian feast. The disciples of Jesus were gathered together and all at once experienced the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Luke associates the supernatural event with those conditions that are typical of theophanies in the Hebrew Bible. A theophany was a vision or mystical experience of God\u2019s presence that was usually accompanied, symbolically, by one or more of the following: thunder, lightning, strong wind, a voice from the sky, some other extraordinary phenomenon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The image of the tongues of fire represents the fact that each of those present received the gift of the Spirit and this gift manifested itself in an unusual way. Luke describes how the members of the crowd that had gathered were amazed that they could understand what the disciples were saying to them. Luke is not concerned with the practical details of his description but is only intent on showing how the Spirit had an extraordinary effect on the disciples. The mind conjures up a vision like the Sydney Domain on a Sunday with the disciples individually taking sections of the crowd and preaching with soapbox oratory at full voice. Practically speaking, the scene would be chaotic. However, this aside, Luke is simply trying to paint a picture of the powerful effect produced by the Holy Spirit on the missionary endeavours of the followers of Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Initially the disciples were locked in the room for fear they might be arrested as Jesus was. They were seriously wondering: Is it all over, and what do we do now? In his gospel Luke shows this quandary being acted out in the disciples going to Emmaus. They thought it was all over and their hopes in Jesus were dashed. However, the Pentecost experience shows that the Spirit moved them all forward to a realization that it was not over, and the fire in them to spread the message of Jesus was just being kindled to burning heat. This was not a blindly dramatic moment, after the manner of a Hollywood film, in which the disciples were passively receiving bursts of insight from the Holy Spirit. Rather, it was the Spirit working in ways that are typical in Scripture, that is, the Spirit works over time through people and events, payer, reading and discussion to enable individuals and groups to discern carefully and arrive at decisions and action plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Luke is actually illustrating, in this one scenario, the missionary program of the disciples and their descendants in faith. Filled with the Holy Spirit and bursting with confidence they will go out and tell the good news about Jesus to people of all nations and languages and many will hear them, be convinced of their message and then respond in faith and embrace the Christian way of life. Luke emphasizes all through the Acts of the Apostles that there is no way of stopping the power of the Spirit. With the Spirit behind the disciples, the Jesus movement cannot help but go forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lord, send out your Spirit and renew the face of the earth<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Psalm 102\/104<\/strong> The psalmist makes an allied point by marvelling at the power of God\u2019s Spirit. Without the Spirit the earth and all that is in it dies; enriched by the Spirit there is life and the face of the earth is renewed. This process of renewal is a favourite theme in the Hebrew Scriptures and it is based on a down-to-earth understanding of human nature. We all go through cycles of energy and fatigue in our spiritual lives; it is part of being human. But we need to be able to read the signs in our lives and take time out to renew ourselves, rekindle energy and recharge the spiritual batteries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When the spiritual master noticed a drop in the energy level of his disciple he asked if there was something wrong. \u2018I seem to get tired easily,\u2019 said the disciple, \u2018and I cannot account for it.\u2019 \u2018You are tired because of your mental conflicts,\u2019 replied the master. \u2018You are antagonistic toward too many things in your environment. A lack of inner peace creates internal division and this conflict inside you is exhausting.\u2019 In his wisdom Jesus said there was nothing to be gained by worry (Matthew 6:25- 34). He was not advocating a lack of foresight or carelessness, but he was pointing out how worry could not achieve anything except stress and internal torment within the worrier. Jesus asked the simple common sense question: \u2018What can you achieve by worrying?\u2019 Care and concern can spur us to action, while worry only increases stress. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Everyone moved by the Spirit is a child of God<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Romans 8:8-17<\/strong> The second reading is from Paul\u2019s letter to the Romans and contains a note of encouragement to live the life of the Spirit. We often do not realise how frequently Paul writes words of encouragement in his letters. He appreciated how crucial encouragement was for nourishing good relationships with others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He also repeatedly makes the point in his letters that the committed follower of Christ is careful to be guided by the values of the Spirit rather than by those of the lower appetites of our human nature. Elsewhere (Galatians 5:22-23) Paul lists some of the virtues of the Spirit-filled Christian as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are all the marks of quality relationships. He also urges us to imitate Christ\u2019s attitude of service and concern for others. When, at the Last Supper, Jesus took a towel and basin and washed his friends\u2019 feet he was encouraging them and us to be towel-and-basin people, willing to be of service to others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Paul concludes his exhortation by reminding us that we are children of God and as such are much loved. We will share in the glory of Christ\u2019s resurrection but first we must be prepared to endure whatever hardship life presents. Paul takes a leaf out of Jesus\u2019s book and observes that being part of Christ means sharing in his suffering as well as his glory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Holy Spirit is God\u2019s gift of love<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n John 14:15-16, 23-26 <\/strong> Today\u2019s gospel reading comes from the Last Supper discourse in John\u2019s gospel. Jesus talks about love as the abiding characteristic of his followers. In the first letter of John we read a similar statement that says no one can be a true follower of Jesus Christ if she\/he does not demonstrate love in daily living. The writer goes on to say that preoccupation with the pursuit of a \u2018good time\u2019, riches and self-indulgence will only get in the way of the life of love and will end in our making a god out of materialism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jesus is conscious of going away and so promises to send a helper who will guide his followers in the right path to quality life. A modern expression of Jesus\u2019 words might be, \u2018I will be with you in spirit.\u2019 Christ will be present to his disciples in spirit and this Spirit of God will be a source of inspiration for all who follow in Christ\u2019s footsteps. The Newer Testament writers give expression to their realization that God became present to people in the person of the Son, Jesus Christ, and will remain present to us through the Spirit. It is only by heeding the movement of the Spirit that we can sustain a healthy relationship with God and live the life of love. St Augustine (de Trinitate xv) refers to the Holy Spirit as the \u2018gift of God\u2019 and says that this gift is, in essence, the gift of love which brings us to God, who is love itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n ***<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Only the loving ones find love. They never have to reach for it.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Guard well your spare moments. They are like uncut diamonds. Discard them and their value will never be known. Improve them and they will become the brightest gems in a useful life.<\/em> ***<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Big Jack went around to the sacristy to talk with the priest after Mass. \u2018Father,\u2019 he said, \u2018I need you to pray for my hearing.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2018Sure,\u2019 replied the priest, \u2018let\u2019s go into the church and pray.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, Father sat Jack down in the front pew, placed his hands over Jack\u2019s ears and invited Jack to pray silently with him. After a minute of fervent prayer, the priest took his hands away and asked,<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2018How\u2019s your hearing now, Jack?\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n Big Jack replied, \u2018I don\u2019t know, Father, it\u2019s not \u2018til next Tuesday.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n by Laurie Woods<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Today\u2019s readings highlight the reality of the Holy Spirit, not only in the lives of the first disciples of Jesus but in our own lives. The experience of these men and women urges us to listen to the Spirit by paying attention to moments of insight and inspiration that can enrich our spiritual growth Acts […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":27822,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[38,45,26,44,24,55,8,32,50,41,25,51,34,54,47,31,42,39,48,46,52,40,37,35,28,43,53,36,27,33,29],"class_list":["post-27821","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-newsletter","tag-ancient-wisdom","tag-contemplative-prayer","tag-enlightenment","tag-guided-meditation","tag-inner-peace","tag-introspection","tag-lectio-divina","tag-lectio-divina-for-beginners","tag-life-transformation","tag-meditation-guide","tag-meditation-mastery","tag-meditation-tips","tag-mindfulness","tag-mindfulness-meditation","tag-mindfulness-practices","tag-mindfulness-techniques","tag-personal-development","tag-reflect-and-transform","tag-reflective-living","tag-sacred-reading","tag-self-discovery","tag-self-help","tag-soulful-journey","tag-soulful-living","tag-spiritual-awakening","tag-spiritual-growth","tag-spiritual-guide","tag-spiritual-insights","tag-spiritual-practice","tag-spiritual-reflection","tag-transformative-journey"],"aioseo_notices":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/g30ad6ca22ddab3201274735ff221449d7e32c3722f8e4dc01e1dfdc8c1a58a28c4d1cc20d1cd5dcffaae9334f2d942d6948707d0a1ac43dbb4d91d098883aa5f_1280-2909683.jpg",1280,1014,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/g30ad6ca22ddab3201274735ff221449d7e32c3722f8e4dc01e1dfdc8c1a58a28c4d1cc20d1cd5dcffaae9334f2d942d6948707d0a1ac43dbb4d91d098883aa5f_1280-2909683-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/g30ad6ca22ddab3201274735ff221449d7e32c3722f8e4dc01e1dfdc8c1a58a28c4d1cc20d1cd5dcffaae9334f2d942d6948707d0a1ac43dbb4d91d098883aa5f_1280-2909683-300x238.jpg",300,238,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/g30ad6ca22ddab3201274735ff221449d7e32c3722f8e4dc01e1dfdc8c1a58a28c4d1cc20d1cd5dcffaae9334f2d942d6948707d0a1ac43dbb4d91d098883aa5f_1280-2909683-768x608.jpg",768,608,true],"large":["https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/g30ad6ca22ddab3201274735ff221449d7e32c3722f8e4dc01e1dfdc8c1a58a28c4d1cc20d1cd5dcffaae9334f2d942d6948707d0a1ac43dbb4d91d098883aa5f_1280-2909683-1024x811.jpg",1024,811,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/g30ad6ca22ddab3201274735ff221449d7e32c3722f8e4dc01e1dfdc8c1a58a28c4d1cc20d1cd5dcffaae9334f2d942d6948707d0a1ac43dbb4d91d098883aa5f_1280-2909683.jpg",1280,1014,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/g30ad6ca22ddab3201274735ff221449d7e32c3722f8e4dc01e1dfdc8c1a58a28c4d1cc20d1cd5dcffaae9334f2d942d6948707d0a1ac43dbb4d91d098883aa5f_1280-2909683.jpg",1280,1014,false],"menu-24x24":["https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/g30ad6ca22ddab3201274735ff221449d7e32c3722f8e4dc01e1dfdc8c1a58a28c4d1cc20d1cd5dcffaae9334f2d942d6948707d0a1ac43dbb4d91d098883aa5f_1280-2909683-24x19.jpg",24,19,true],"menu-36x36":["https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/g30ad6ca22ddab3201274735ff221449d7e32c3722f8e4dc01e1dfdc8c1a58a28c4d1cc20d1cd5dcffaae9334f2d942d6948707d0a1ac43dbb4d91d098883aa5f_1280-2909683-36x29.jpg",36,29,true],"menu-48x48":["https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/g30ad6ca22ddab3201274735ff221449d7e32c3722f8e4dc01e1dfdc8c1a58a28c4d1cc20d1cd5dcffaae9334f2d942d6948707d0a1ac43dbb4d91d098883aa5f_1280-2909683-48x38.jpg",48,38,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Laurie Woods","author_link":"https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/?author=18"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Today\u2019s readings highlight the reality of the Holy Spirit, not only in the lives of the first disciples of Jesus but in our own lives. The experience of these men and women urges us to listen to the Spirit by paying attention to moments of insight and inspiration that can enrich our spiritual growth Acts…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27821","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=27821"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27821\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27823,"href":"https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27821\/revisions\/27823"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/27822"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=27821"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=27821"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=27821"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
Sunyata (adopted name of Alfred Sorensen, 20th century Danish mystic<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ralph Waldo Emerson<\/p>\n\n\n\n