Wind and Fire

Pentecost.  the Upper Room, the sound of a great wind,  tongues of fire,  the conversion of 3,000,  all familiar images indicating a powerful transformation and the "birthday" of the Church.  It's important to remember that the work of the Spirit can't be limited to this one moment, but, as signified by the wind, it is all pervasive and cannot be contained.  We received the Holy Spirit at our baptsims and in a more complete way at Confirmation.   St. Thomas Aquinas says that the Holy S;pirit interiorly perfects our spirit, communicating to it a new dynamism that refrains from evil for love. One of the gifts of the Spirit is joy, a deep abiding sense of being where God wants us to be at the present moment.  It is this joy which enables Pope Francis to such hope, love and optimism simply by his presence and gestures.  It is this joy which filled the Apostles and changed their cowering fear to brazen proclaimers of the Good News.  Such is the Spirit that is within us, such is our mission wherever we are.  Happy Feast of Pentecost.  Happy Birthday, everyone!
Bro Rene