A WORD FOR TODAY 23 MAY 2021

*A WORD FOR TODAY

*BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

_"Jesus said to them again, Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”(John 20:21-23)_

_*Today the universal Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Pentecost. It is the 50th day after Easter and the day we remember the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles at the upper room as promised by Jesus before His Ascension into heaven.*_

_Today is regarded as the birthday of the Church, because after they (the Apostles) have received the Holy Spirit, they were no longer afraid, but moved everywhere proclaiming the name of Jesus in fulfillment of His command in (Acts 1:8: You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.)_

_*Today we celebrate the fulfillment of the promise that Jesus made to His disciples in John 14:16,26. The Holy Spirit (Ruah-Hebrew/ Pneuma-Greek...Air, breath, wind, fire,) is the third person of the Blessed Trinity. He is the Paraclete (the one who is by our side), Advocatus-Advocate (The one who speaks for us), the consoler (gives us comfort in difficult times), the counselor (gives us good advice), the sanctifier (makes us holy) and the one who inspires us and leads us into the truth and help us to understand the hidden mysteries of our faith.*_

_The coming of the Holy Spirit transformed the lives of the apostles who were locked up in the room after the Ascension of Jesus into heaven because of fear, now they became fearless, spoke in different tongues and manifested God's glory and power through their ministration._

_*The Holy Spirit brings renewal of heart to the person who welcomes and receives Him. He is ever ready to come to anyone who is willing and ready to have Him. He comes with His gifts and He empowers the person to do exploits in His name.*_

_If the Holy Spirit is in control of your life, it will be seen in the fruits you bear.(Galatians 5:19-23). The gifts of the Holy Spirit comes upon those who thirst and hunger for it and then have the good disposion to receive it. (1 Corinthians 12:1-10) The Holy Spirit is for all and He unites us as a people as we serve the Lord. Unity in diversity is very key to living a life in the Spirit._

_*Jesus came to His disciples and gave them peace. He breathed on them and gave them the Holy Spirit so that they will be able to carry out the task of proclaiming the Good news for the winning of souls. The power to forgive sins as given to the Church by Jesus is possible through the grace of the Holy Spirit.*_

_Today the Church calls on us to open our hearts to receive the Holy Spirit that will empower us, transform us and use us as we go into the ordinary time of the Church's calender, where we are expected to win more souls for Him through our daily work and activities._

_*Receive the Holy Spirit to be holy, kind, peaceful, generous, merciful, compassionate, joyful, strong, truthful, honest, sincere, simple, prayerful, patient, fruitful, caring and loving in heart.

_Good morning dearest one smile😊 as you begin your day and do have a magnificent Sunday. May the Holy Spirit give you the power to do exploits in His name. Amen. *And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.*_

*Meditaion:* Acts 2:1-11/Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-31,34/ 1 Corinthians 12:3-7,12-13/John 20:19-23

*Watch-Word: Lord, send forth your spirit, and renew the face of the areath*

*Come Holy Spirit fill the hearts of the faithful and ekindle in them the fire of your. Make the Holy Spirit your best friend and He will give you the unction for function*

(Solemnity of the Pentecost. Cycle B)