Ordinary Time

Pause

“One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes.”

from The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Listen

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. I will ask the Father, and he will send another Companion, who will be with you forever. This Companion is the Spirit of Truth, whom the world can’t receive because it neither sees him nor recognizes him. You know him, because he lives with you and will be with you."

John 14:15-17

Think

Have you ever gotten a gift so extravagant that you felt unworthy of it? When you realized this and tried to say “Thank you” to convey just how grateful you were, did you feel like your words weren’t enough?

Everyone has moments like these. Imagine how the disciples felt when they heard Jesus promise them that he would give them the gift of the Spirit of Truth. This Companion, God’s Holy Spirit, is invisible to the naked eye; however, we see the Spirit at work all around us. When someone gives the gift of food to the hungry, the Spirit is working. When someone brings an orphaned child into their family, the Spirit is moving. When someone reaches out to you in your moment of need with an offer of prayer and support, the Spirit is loving. How could any of us ever be worthy of such good gifts of the Spirit? Thankfully, God doesn’t ask for our worthiness or perfection; God only asks for our love.

Sarah Boatwright

Pray

Spirit of love, thank you for your gifts of grace, hope, and peace. Help me share them with others today. Amen.

Go

“O Holy Spirit, enter in, and in our hearts your work begin, and make our hearts your dwelling.

Sun of the soul, O Light divine, around and in us brightly shine, your strength in us upwelling.

In your radiance life from heaven now is given overflowing, gift of gifts beyond all knowing.”

from “O Holy Spirit, Enter In” by Michael Schirmer