Awaiting the Spirit

At Baptism we received the Holy Spirit, and at Confirmation we made a willing choice to welcome that Spirit to "take over" our lives and live as fully and sincerely we can, as a disciple of Jesus.  With Mary, we are ready "to do whatever he tells us", and to keep alive his mission of forgiveness, healing, compassion and self-sacrifice to the point of accepting that "our lives are not our own."   St Paul wrote, "I live now, not I, but Christ lives within me." (Gal 2: 20).  And when we think that we can't go another step further, he tells us:  "I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me." (Eph 4:13)
At this mid-point in the month of a busy May, we might be feeling overwhelmed,  "stressed out" and needing a break.  How much more can we carry when sleep, meals, leisure time, give way to events and obligations  that continually encroach on "our day", "our weekend."  Can we imagine what it was like in the Upper Room as the disciples awaited the Holy Spirit? Loneliness, doubt, and perhaps fear, bound them to the floor of that hiding place?  Yet, when the tongues of fire came upon each one of them, all changed for the good.  Come, Holy Spirit, help me to hang on, help me to be ready to be enkindled and burn with energy and zeal once again."
Bro. Rene