Contagious Joy

5/15/2016

Step #1: Lectio / Read

When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled,
they were all in one place together.
And suddenly there came from the sky
a noise like a strong driving wind,
and it filled the entire house in which they were.
Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire,
which parted and came to rest on each one of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit
and began to speak in different tongues,
as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven
staying in Jerusalem.
At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd,
but they were confused
because each one heard them speaking in his own language.
They were astounded, and in amazement they asked,
“Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans?
Then how does each of us hear them in his native language?
We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites,
inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia,
Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia,
Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene,
as well as travelers from Rome,
both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs,
yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues
of the mighty acts of God.”

Acts 2:1-11

Step #2: Meditatio / Meditate

Here we are on Pentecost Sunday! So what happened today 2000 years ago? Well, the Holy Spirit came to broken men and set them on fire. Above their heads were tongues of fire, the Holy Spirit, then they went out and preached in languages they did not know and they were different.

What do I mean they were different? Well after the crucifixion they were scared men afraid to go out in public and afraid of the consequences of following Jesus but after the resurrection and now on Pentecost they are willing to go out to anywhere and preach the Good News. Miraculous things will now happen; people will pass in the shadow of Peter and be cured, they will heal the sick, turn bread and wine into Jesus and they will preach and they will not be afraid. Isn't this what we want as well, to not be afraid to be joyful of the Gospel?

Well let me let you in on a little secret: people love to experience joy and they cling to it when they see it.

In fact, when I gave up everything and decided to go to the seminary I went to my family and friends and I told them I was going and most of my family and friends are not super Catholics and most of them thought that going to seminary was a bad idea. But I have to say, not one person wasn't happy for me because when I came to them and told them the good news of my vocation they couldn't do anything but enjoy my joy with me.

So take the secret of Pentecost, allow the Holy Spirit to come upon you, set you on fire for the Good News and be so filled with joy that even the heaviest storm becomes a place of joy.

And I promise you when you are filled with the Holy Spirit miraculous things happen!

Step #3: Oratio / Pray

"And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit."

What hinders my joy from the Holy Spirit?

What about Jesus has set me on fire the most?

Do I truly believe the Holy Spirit can change me and that I can do amazing things?

Step #4: Contemplatio / Contemplate

"Come, Holy Spirit and enliven my heart to be set on fire with your joyful love!"

"Father in heaven, show me the gifts you have given me today in order to bring joy to my life and those I encounter."

For the Rest of Your Day...

People said that when a person would meet John Paul II he would talk and listen to them as if they were the only thing that existed in that moment. So today, encounter people in the same way with the joy of the Holy Spirit.

Smartphone Lock SCreen

Today's prayer was prepared by Deacon Kyle Manno.

CARPE VERBUM