Thoughts on Thursday…

Thursday After Pentecost

This past Sunday we celebrated the Feast of Pentecost. The day that the Holy Spirit came upon Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the apostles in the upper room.

It was the beginning of the church.

As we read in Acts: 2:14-36, Peter gave an incredible speech that day, exhorting all to believe in Jesus, the Messiah. He even quoted verbatim the passages from Joel 2:25-32, and from Psalm 16:8-11. 

It had to have been the Holy Spirit speaking through Peter, because Peter wasn't a scholar who would have studied these, or any, scriptures. He ended his speech by saying, "Therefore let the whole house of Israel know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified." Acts 2:36. 

Then another amazing thing happened. Instead of feeling indignant and becoming angry with Peter for this finger-pointing lecture, they were…"cut to the heart, and they asked Peter and the other apostles, "What are we to do, my brothers?" Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Acts 2:37-38.

Repentance must precede God's blessing.

Do you want to receive God's blessing today? Of course you do! Otherwise you would not be reading this blog, or have come to this website. The Holy Spirit is guiding you to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ. 

Not sure what to do next? Not to worry. It's very easy. Just follow Peter's example above…Repent, be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit!

"For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call." Acts 2:39. Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand persons were added that day. Acts 2:41.

Will today be the day that you choose Christ?

Novena to the Holy Spirit - Day 9

Every day begin by praying the following prayer:

O Holy Spirit, divine Consoler!

I adore you as my True God.

I bless You, by uniting myself to the praises

You receive from the angels and saints.

I offer You my whole heart and I render You heartfelt thanks

for all the benefits You have bestowed

and do unceasingly bestow upon the world.

I beg You, Who are the Author of all supernatural gifts

And Who enriched with immense favors the soul

of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God,

to visit me by Your grace and Your love,

and grant me the favor I so earnestly seek in this novena

(Mention your request)

O Holy Spirit, Spirit of truth, come into our hearts;

shed the brightness of Your light on all nations,

that they may be of one faith and pleasing to You.

Amen.

Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful,

and kindle in them the fire of Your love!

Ninth Day

O Holy Spirit, 

grant me sight to see the wondrous promise of divine love, 

insight to see my own weakness, 

and delight in Your divine presence in my soul which You 

have made Your temple through sanctifying grace.

I pray, O Holy Spirit, 

that I may be not doubting, 

that I be spared the pain of being alone without trust or hope in Christ, 

and that my prayer may always be, "My Lord and my God!"

I pray that I may acquire a sense of retreat to prayer and recollection

at various times in my daily life; 

for prayer is the bond that joins us to Christ.

I pray that I may be aware of the physical needs of the poor and

that I may share what I can with them in the charitable works

of the Church.

I pray, O Holy Spirit, that You will, in Your mercy, 

grant me the favor I have sought in this novena.

Amen.

Novena to the Holy Spirit - Day 8

Every day begin by praying the following prayer:

O Holy Spirit, divine Consoler!

I adore you as my True God.

I bless You, by uniting myself to the praises

You receive from the angels and saints.

I offer You my whole heart and I render You heartfelt thanks

for all the benefits You have bestowed

and do unceasingly bestow upon the world.

I beg You, Who are the Author of all supernatural gifts

And Who enriched with immense favors the soul

of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God,

to visit me by Your grace and Your love,

and grant me the favor I so earnestly seek in this novena

(Mention your request)

O Holy Spirit, Spirit of truth, come into our hearts;

shed the brightness of Your light on all nations,

that they may be of one faith and pleasing to You.

Amen.

Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful,

and kindle in them the fire of Your love!

Eighth Day

O Holy Spirit, life and light of the Church, 

give us thoughts higher than our own thoughts, 

prayers better than our own prayers, 

and powers beyond our own powers, 

that we may love and live, 

imitating Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Come to us, O Holy Spirit, 

come with the Father and the Son.

Dwell within our souls and 

quickly make our hearts Your own.

Quench in us the fires of hate and strife, 

the wasting fever of the heart.

From perils, guard our feeble life 

and to our souls, Your peace impart.

Let voice and mind and heart and strength 

confess and glorify Your name,

and let the fire of charity burn bright 

and other hearts inflame.

Amen.

Novena to the Holy Spirit - Day 7

Every day begin by praying the following prayer:

O Holy Spirit, divine Consoler!

I adore you as my True God.

I bless You, by uniting myself to the praises

You receive from the angels and saints.

I offer You my whole heart and I render You heartfelt thanks

for all the benefits You have bestowed

and do unceasingly bestow upon the world.

I beg You, Who are the Author of all supernatural gifts

And Who enriched with immense favors the soul

of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God,

to visit me by Your grace and Your love,

and grant me the favor I so earnestly seek in this novena

(Mention your request)

O Holy Spirit, Spirit of truth, come into our hearts;

shed the brightness of Your light on all nations,

that they may be of one faith and pleasing to You.

Amen.

Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful,

and kindle in them the fire of Your love!

Seventh Day

Come, O Holy Spirit, creator of all things; 

come visit our hearts with Your power.

Fill with grace, dear friendly guest, 

the hearts which You have created.

You are called the Consoler, 

gift from the hand of God, 

source of life, light, love, and flame, highest good.

You are the pledge of sevenfold grace, 

finger of the Father's hand, 

promised us by Him, 

and You make our tongues speak the truth.

Cast light on our senses, 

pour love into our hearts.

Grant our weak bodies strength 

that they may never grow weary of doing good.

Keep the enemy far from us, 

give us peace always, 

and let us willingly follow in Your footsteps 

that we may be far removed from sin.

Grant that through You we may grow in knowledge of the Father and of the Son, 

and that we may ever strongly believe in You, the Spirit of both.

Praise and honor be forever to the Father on the highest throne, 

in the risen Son of God, in the Consoler!

Amen.

Novena to the Holy Spirit - Day 6

Every day begin by praying the following prayer:

O Holy Spirit, divine Consoler!

I adore you as my True God.

I bless You, by uniting myself to the praises

You receive from the angels and saints.

I offer You my whole heart and I render You heartfelt thanks

for all the benefits You have bestowed

and do unceasingly bestow upon the world.

I beg You, Who are the Author of all supernatural gifts

And Who enriched with immense favors the soul

of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God,

to visit me by Your grace and Your love,

and grant me the favor I so earnestly seek in this novena

(Mention your request)

O Holy Spirit, Spirit of truth, come into our hearts;

shed the brightness of Your light on all nations,

that they may be of one faith and pleasing to You.

Amen.

Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful,

and kindle in them the fire of Your love!

Sixth Day

O Father in Heaven, may 

Your Holy Spirit remind me of 

Your love,

Your promises, 

Your sanctity, 

Your omniscience, 

Your wisdom, 

Your goodness,

Your faithfulness.

May Your Holy Spirit 

encourage me when I am slothful;

strengthen me when I am weak;

enlighten me when I no longer can help myself.

Breathe into me, O Holy Spirit, that I may do what is holy.

Stir me, that I may love what is holy.

Strengthen me, that I may preserve what is holy.

Protect me, O Holy Spirit, that I may never lose what is holy.

Amen.

Novena to the Holy Spirit - Day 5

Every day begin by praying the following prayer:

O Holy Spirit, divine Consoler!

I adore you as my True God.

I bless You, by uniting myself to the praises

You receive from the angels and saints.

I offer You my whole heart and I render You heartfelt thanks

for all the benefits You have bestowed

and do unceasingly bestow upon the world.

I beg You, Who are the Author of all supernatural gifts

And Who enriched with immense favors the soul

of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God,

to visit me by Your grace and Your love,

and grant me the favor I so earnestly seek in this novena

(Mention your request)

O Holy Spirit, Spirit of truth, come into our hearts;

shed the brightness of Your light on all nations,

that they may be of one faith and pleasing to You.

Amen.

Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful,
and kindle in them the fire of Your love!

Fifth Day

Come, O Spirit of sanctity, 

and send forth the radiance of Your light.

Father of all the poor, 

light and peace of all hearts, 

come with Your countless gifts.

Consoler in times of desolation, 

refreshment full of loveliness, 

come dear Friend of my soul.

In weariness, send repose; 

breathe gently cool refreshing breeze;

console the desolate who weep alone.

Light of Beatitude, 

make our hearts ready; 

come enter our souls.

Without Your grace, we stand alone; 

we cannot be good or sure.

Cleanse what is soiled; 

heal what is wounded; 

moisten what is arid.

Bend the stubborn will; 

warm the cold heart; 

and guide the wandering footstep.

Amen.

Novena To The Holy Spirit - Day 4

Every day begin by praying the following prayer:

O Holy Spirit, divine Consoler!
I adore you as my True God.
I bless You, by uniting myself to the praises
You receive from the angels and saints.
I offer You my whole heart and I render You heartfelt thanks
for all the benefits You have bestowed
and do unceasingly bestow upon the world.
I beg You, Who are the Author of all supernatural gifts
And Who enriched with immense favors the soul
of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God,
to visit me by Your grace and Your love,
and grant me the favor I so earnestly seek in this novena
(Mention your request)
O Holy Spirit, Spirit of truth, come into our hearts;
shed the brightness of Your light on all nations,
that they may be of one faith and pleasing to You.
Amen.

Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful,
and kindle in them the fire of Your love!

Fourth Day

O God, by the light of Your Holy Spirit, give us a love for what is right and just,
and a constant enjoyment of His comforts.

O Holy Spirit, may we always know the wonder of God,
Who is beyond all our imagination.

Pray that I may accept as the motto of my life:
"All for the greater glory of God."

Amen.

Novena To The Holy Spirit - Day 3

Every day begin by praying the following prayer:

O Holy Spirit, divine Consoler!
I adore you as my True God.
I bless You, by uniting myself to the praises
You receive from the angels and saints.
I offer You my whole heart and I render You heartfelt thanks
for all the benefits You have bestowed
and do unceasingly bestow upon the world.
I beg You, Who are the Author of all supernatural gifts
And Who enriched with immense favors the soul
of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God,
to visit me by Your grace and Your love,
and grant me the favor I so earnestly seek in this novena
(Mention your request)
O Holy Spirit, Spirit of truth, come into our hearts;
shed the brightness of Your light on all nations,
that they may be of one faith and pleasing to You.
Amen.

Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful,
and kindle in them the fire of Your love!

Third Day

Heavenly Father, You have called me to be a member of the Mystical Body

    of Your Son, Jesus Christ, and to be a temple of the Holy Spirit.

I ask You to give me:

Wisdom, that I may understand the follies of this world;

Understanding, that I may grasp more fully the meaning of my existence

        and the purpose of all things in the world;

Counsel, that I may always choose the proper way;

Fortitude, that I may remain faithful to You under the pressure of temptation;

Knowledge, that I may be inspired with the spirit of learning to penetrate

        more deeply into the truths You have revealed.

Piety, that I may revere You in all I do, think, or say;

Fear of the Lord, that should the motive of love fail me,

     I may quickly be awakened to the eternal consequences of my deeds.

Visit me by Your grace and Your love.

Amen.

Novena To The Holy Spirit - Day 2

Every day begin by praying the following prayer:

O Holy Spirit, divine Consoler!
I adore you as my True God.
I bless You, by uniting myself to the praises
You receive from the angels and saints.
I offer You my whole heart and I render You heartfelt thanks
for all the benefits You have bestowed
and do unceasingly bestow upon the world.
I beg You, Who are the Author of all supernatural gifts
And Who enriched with immense favors the soul
of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God,
to visit me by Your grace and Your love,
and grant me the favor I so earnestly seek in this novena
(Mention your request)
O Holy Spirit, Spirit of truth, come into our hearts;
shed the brightness of Your light on all nations,
that they may be of one faith and pleasing to You.
Amen.

Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful,
and kindle in them the fire of Your love!

Second Day

O Holy Spirit,
make me faithful in every thought,
and grant that I may always listen to Your voice,
watch for Your light,
and follow Your gracious inspirations.
I cling to You,
give myself to You,
and ask You, in Your compassion,
to watch over me in my weakness.
Holding the pierced feet of Jesus,
looking at His Five Wounds,
trusting in His Precious Blood,
adoring His opened side and stricken Heart,
I implore You, adorable Spirit,
helper of my infirmity,
to keep me in Your grace,
now and always,
Amen.

Novena To The Holy Spirit - Day 1

Every day begin by praying the following prayer:

O Holy Spirit, divine Consoler!

I adore you as my True God.

I bless You, by uniting myself to the praises

You receive from the angels and saints.

I offer You my whole heart and I render You heartfelt thanks

for all the benefits You have bestowed

and do unceasingly bestow upon the world.

I beg You, Who are the Author of all supernatural gifts

And Who enriched with immense favors the soul

of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God,

to visit me by Your grace and Your love,

and grant me the favor I so earnestly seek in this novena

(Mention your request)

O Holy Spirit, Spirit of truth, come into our hearts;

shed the brightness of Your light on all nations,

that they may be of one faith and pleasing to You.

Amen.

Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful,

and kindle in them the fire of Your love!

First Day

O Holy Spirit, bestow upon us Your seven holy gifts:

• Wisdom
• Understanding
• Counsel (Right Judgment)
• Fortitude (Courage)
• Knowledge
• Piety (Reverence)
• Fear of the Lord (Wonder and Awe)

Enlighten our understanding that we may know You.

Give us wisdom that Your will may be clear to us and that we may accept it.

Grant us the gift of counsel that we may always perceive what is right.

Fortify us that we may always be capable of fulfilling Your Divine Will.

Inspire us with the spirit of learning that we may be able to 

penetrate more deeply into the truths that You have revealed.

Let our hearts be steeped in the spirit of childlikeness that we may bring You joy.

Let us have proper fear of God that we may never grieve You

or wander from the path of goodness.

Gift us the fullness of Your gifts that we may glorify You.

Amen.

Thoughts on Thursday...

Ascension Thursday

Msgr. Ron always said, as he preached on the Ascension, that if he were there when Jesus was being lifted up, his first reaction would have been to jump up and hold onto his feet so that he didn’t leave.

I can understand this line of thinking, because who would want the best thing in their life to go away? But as Fr. Jorge preached in his sermon this evening, Jesus had to leave us, leave his earthly life, so that he would go back to the Father and send the Holy Spirit to help us.

Prayer of Forgiveness (Hoosoyo)  Based on John 14:3-6

O Christ,

By your ascension you ended your earthly life,

But your mission continues among us.

Your everlasting mission makes you the Head of redeemed humanity,

And makes us members of your spiritual body.

We are forever bound to you as our Creator and Redeemer.

You reward us and give us life forever.

You returned to the Father to prepare a place for us in his kingdom, 

so that we may be where you are. 

You revealed to us the place where you were going 

and showed us the way to follow you. 

When the apostle Thomas asked you: 

“We don’t know where you are going, how can we know the way?” 

You answered him: 

“I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one goes to the Father except through me.” 

We implore you, O Christ our Savior,

turn our gaze toward the Father, direct the longing of our hearts, and guide our steps, 

that we may reach the Father, through you, O Christ, and with you.

O Lord,

Make us ready to receive the Spirit you promised, 

and to dwell in that place you set aside for us near your Father, 

that we may meet you in the heavenly dwellings and praise you, O Christ,

your Father, and your living Holy Spirit, now and forever.

The Novena to the Holy Spirit begins tomorrow, May 18th  for nine days until Saturday, May 26th  to prepare us for the great Feast of Pentecost, Sunday, May 27th!

Thoughts on Thursday...

        Empty 

       I come before you, Lord. 

       I am lost and unable to find my way. 

Being lost is unsettling. It can be frightening. 

You are not in control of your situation when you are lost.

       Be faithful in small things. Matthew 25:21 

Small things like spending a few minutes with Jesus alone in the Adoration Chapel—daily. 

But it takes effort to do that daily. 

Especially when it’s no longer on the way to work. 

Especially when it’s so much easier to just stay home and “do” all that can be “done” at home. 

“Doing” fills up the days. 

But they are still empty. 

       Humble yourself before the Lord and let Him fill you. Philippians 2:1-18 

So I got up, washed and dressed, and went to the Adoration Chapel. 

He was there. 

We enjoyed each other’s company in silence—except for my tears…tears of sadness…tears of concern…tears of repentance…which He transformed into tears of joy. 

Transformation… 

       Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2

Jesus has been transforming my mind gently, peacefully, healing me since I have been coming to see Him in the Adoration Chapel. So I will continue to come even when it requires effort. 

It is such a small thing. 

He will do the same for you. 

When you come to see Him. 

       For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare 

       and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope. When you call me, and come and 

       pray to me, I will listen to you. When you look for me, you will find me, says the Lord. 

       Yes, when you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me, and I will change

       your lot; Jeremiah 29:11-14