The Invitation

Since my last blog, I’ve met the Holy Spirit. The irony of it was that this encounter was on Pentecost Sunday.

I was supposed to golf that afternoon with my friend Kathy but the weather wasn’t cooperating so we canceled. As I was walking from my car to church that morning, I saw Kathy walking ahead of me. We had no idea we attended mass at the same parish. Such a nice surprise. We ended up sitting next to each other.

On Pentecost Sunday the “Golden Sequence”, known as the Veni Sancte Spiritus (Come, Holy Spirit) prayer to the Holy Spirit is prayed and chanted. The repetition of this invitation as it’s chanted is powerful. If we really mean it and really want it, it really happens. My goosebumps and tears let the Holy Spirit know I meant it and wanted it and I wasn’t disappointed.

After mass Kathy and I decided as long as our original plan for the day was thwarted why not defer to Plan B: breakfast and a mimosa! We had a delicious breakfast and deep conversation that we both felt was an answer to prayer.

Time flew by as we shared our challenges, were honest about our shortcomings, and laughed at ourselves all the while sensing, as the morning was unfolding, that it was a gift.

Since we were at a restaurant close to Firstfruits, I asked Kathy if I could show her the space. I got to tell her all about Firstfruits, to share with her something so near and dear to my heart. Every time I have the opportunity to tell the Firstfruits story I am overwhelmed with gratitude and a deep sense of the power of the Holy Spirit when we give it room to work.

Before we knew it, it was early afternoon and we decided it was time to head home.

I felt such a peace the rest of the day. I smiled every time I thought about how I left the house to go to mass that morning, sad and disappointed that my day wasn’t going to go as planned, and ended up back home four hours later full of hope, peace and the Holy Spirit! So much more than a round of golf can provide.

The next day we exchanged texts about how that sense of peace had stuck with us. It was hard to explain but so real.

I think that every day could be like that morning if we take the time to invite the Holy Spirit to be in charge. Instead, we spend so much time and energy planning, controlling and assuring outcomes in an effort to bring about that peace and it rarely does. At least not a peace that lasts.

Have you ever invited the Holy Spirit in? Try it.

Veni Sancte Spiritus……Veni Sancte Spiritus……Veni Sancte Spiritus

Joan