Message from Fr. Luis Flores

St. Maurice at Resurrection Catholic Parish

My dear parish family

Today our universal Church celebrates Pentecost Sunday. After his death and resurrection Jesus promised to give his disciples the gift of the Holy Spirit. He said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit!” Jesus knew that his disciples would need the power of the Holy Spirit to carry out the mission entrusted to them. The gift of the Holy Spirit was conditional upon the ascension of Jesus to the right hand of the Father. That is why Jesus instructed the apostles to wait in Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high.

Just as Jesus was anointed with the Spirit at the beginning of his ministry, so the disciples needed the anointing of the Holy Spirit to carry out the mission entrusted to them by Jesus. The Holy Spirit is given to all who are baptized into Jesus Christ to enable us to live a new way of life, a life of love, peace, joy, and righteousness. The Holy Spirit fills our hearts with the love of God, and he gives us the strength and courage we need to live as faith-filled disciples of the Lord Jesus.

The gift of Pentecost, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and the spiritual gifts and blessings of God - are made possible through the death, resurrection, and ascension of the Lord Jesus. After his resurrection Jesus "breathed" on his disciples and gave them the Holy Spirit.

The Lord Jesus offers each one of us the gift and power of his Holy Spirit. He wants to make our faith strong, give us hope that endures, and a love that never grows cold. He never refuses to give his Spirit to those who ask with expectant faith.

Lord Jesus, I thank you for the gift of Pentecost and for the new life you offer in the Holy Spirit. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and set my heart ablaze with the fire of your love that I may serve you in joy and freedom.

Amen.

Fr. Luis Flores
Parochial Administrator