Pentecost Sunday (Vigil Mass) - Cycle C

“Whoever believes in me, as Scripture says: ‘Rivers of living water will flow from within him.’” (John 7:38)

Today is the extraordinary feast day of Pentecost. Today we invoke the Holy Spirit for a fresh outpouring–for more of this source of divine life within us. 

The rivers which Jesus proclaims in the passage quoted above denote abundance. They carry living things within them. They change, shape, and define boundaries and formations of the land. They flow from an immeasurable source. 

The Holy Spirit works in no less of a way within us. He bestows and carries boundless graces, virtues, and merits as the divine life of grace becomes a river flowing within us. Grace becomes the mechanism for carving and defining our image increasingly into Christ's divine likeness. And this river of grace has an eternal source, always willing to provide more through the Holy Spirit. 

Living water moves. It can be dashed against rocks or it can flow slowly and gently. The life of the Holy Spirit is also one of constant movement–movement towards God. Sometimes the path of grace leads to direct conflict, exposing or clashing with the world or our still worldly habits of thinking and ways of living. Sometimes this movement is slower over many small changes and encounters. When little seems to be happening in our spiritual lives, we can trust in the still moving, trickling nature of this living grace–He remains at work in our lives. Allowing more of the divine life to flow within us necessitates our constant willingness to move and be moved according to his plans and will. Living water moves and goes forth. It cannot go back, nor should it. 

As we ask for more of the Holy Spirit on this great feast let us pause and consider: Where is the Lord bringing about new life? Where are the movements of grace trying to bring about change and shaping? Where is He waiting for more permission to move forward?

Come Holy Spirit. Make us docile to hear and turn to the voice of the Lord. Let us be filled with Your abundant grace. Help us open our whole selves to more of You.