The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”
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Reflection:
An old man was wondering how he could have an awareness of the presence of the Holy Spirit in his life. He was often murmuring to himself, “I’m already old but I still don’t feel the presence of the Holy Spirit.” This old man is not alone in this predicament because many of us have no awareness of the presence of the Holy Spirit.
What is the secret for us to become aware that the Holy Spirit is alive and working in our life? The secret to unleash the presence of the Holy Spirit is a prayerful life. Is not an intermittent prayer life but a life disposed to daily prayer. Perhaps we can allocate five to ten minutes every day for prayers and meditations. Then slowly but surely the Holy Spirit will manifest its presence within us.
In our first reading we read about the disciples and the Blessed Mother who were together in one place. What were they doing there? They were praying (Acts 1:14) until God the Holy Spirit blessed them with its indwelling presence in their lives (Acts 2:1-4).
The same occurrence happened in our gospel. The disciples were in one room because of their fear of the Jews and they were praying. Then suddenly Jesus appeared to them. He greeted them with peace; afterwards He breathed on them and gave them the presence of the Holy Spirit.
If we want to have an awareness of the presence of the Holy Spirit there’s no other way for us to do but to have a regular prayerful life. So that we would be blessed by its presence and gifts such as: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Strength, Knowledge and Fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2).
Are you already aware of the presence and movement of the Holy Spirit in your life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas
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