"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 driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit..." - Acts 2:1-4
SITUATION EXPLAINED
Ever feel 'old'? Do you ever wish that you had more energy?
SOLUTION OFFERED
I must be getting old. I used to be really, really good at video games...so good that every game at the arcade had my initials in the high scores column...so good that my older brothers nicknamed me the 'vidiot' (yes, that's vidiot, as in video-idiot...nice role models for brothers, huh)? Nowadays, however, I can't play video games, I usually don't even try...there are too many buttons, I don't understand what's going on half the time, and I just get annoyed when I can't control what's happening.
My friend's six-year old was trying to teach me how to play this video game last week. "It's simple," the little boy said, "There's just three things you have to do..."
1. Get through the 'challenge course'...and get to the bad guys at the end.
2. 'Cause after you beat the bad guys at the end of the challenge course, you'll get your new life, and go to the next level.
3. At the beginning of the next level, you'll get a full energy pack and armor, so that people can only hurt you but you won't die.
It hit me later on, that the principles I learned from a six-year old are the entire basis of our Catholic Christian faith. Follow me on this one...
We got through the challenge course of LENT, where we defeated the bad guys (the DEVIL), and got a 'new life' - EASTER.
Now, fifty days after Easter, this Sunday we begin a 'new level' with PENTECOST, which celebrates when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples, and FILLED THEM (filling their 'energy packs') with the power to proclaim the Word of God in a bold way. The Spirit is also our 'armor', assuring us that, like in the video game, even if people hurt us, WE WILL NOT DIE. We will get a new life, on a new level, in HEAVEN.
Many people have ideas about what 'God' is like, or know what Jesus 'is like', but when it comes to the third Person of the Trinity, the HOLY SPIRIT, many people don't know exactly what to 'make of it'. It's kind of like the way I get with video games now that I'm older...I don't totally understand, or I get overwhelmed or confused. It's safer just to pray to God or Jesus, since I feel more in control, than it is to allow the Spirit to really move within me. Can you relate?
Today, tomorrow and especially Sunday, try to let your guard down to the Holy Spirit more than you ever have before, and allow the Spirit to REALLY work and speak through you. When you're praying, just say, "Come Holy Spirit." Repeat it two or three times. Give the Spirit permission to really work in you...you'll be amazed.
SALVATION GIVEN
"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 driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit..." - Acts 2:1-4
Did you pray the prayer? Good. There now, 'THAT'S THE SPIRIT!'
BR>While life isn't a game, we could all use an 'energy boost' now and then, regardless of whether you're 14 or 84. Allow the Holy Spirit to be your boost this Pentecost.
I love you guys, and I'm praying for each of you.