Prepare for Pentecost!
What happens when we pray, “Come, Holy Spirit?” Nothing – unless our hearts are worthy to receive! St Cyril of Jerusalem said, “Like a dry tree which puts forth shoots when watered, the soul bears the fruits of holiness when repentance has made it worthy of receiving the Holy Spirit.” Yes, the Holy Spirit is necessary to produce the fruits, but repentance is necessary to receive the Holy Spirit! What does this mean for Franciscans? In a word – conversion!
So, how do we prepare for Pentecost? Here are some instructions written just for us.
Do you remember Tibor Kauser’s 2017 Pentecost letter addressed to “Secular Franciscans all over the world”? His powerful message still stirs my heart. I am re-reading it as a way to prepare for Pentecost – and I invite you to do the same.
Before we turn to Tibor’s letter, let us review how to prepare our hearts to receive what the Holy Spirit has for us. Let us pray that powerful prayer “Come Holy Spirit” and do so in faith and in surrender. And what does it mean to surrender? It means we must be ready to totally let go of our own judgements and our own plans – ready to let go of our fears, and ready to launch out into the deep. Once we are surrendered and totally open the power of God’s grace will take over. St. Mother Theodore Guerin says it this way, “You will see many things in new lights if you give the Holy Spirit free access to your minds and to your hearts.”
Now on to what our brother Tibor has to say to us! (By the way, if you would like to know what I liked best about Tibor’s letter, just send me a note, and I’d be happy to share. To send a note to Jan, click here.)
Peace and all good,
Jan