We are in the "novena week" of preparing ourselves with the Apostles, the women and Mary the mother of Jesus to receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost in just a few days. Though this happened two thousand years ago – on this Pentecost we can open our minds and hearts to experience an even greater outpouring of the Spirit in our lives than ever before.
While we wait we contemplate the two readings for Mass today. The first reading is about being "confirmed in the Holy Spirit." It is evidence of the separate ceremony that follows baptism with water for the forgiveness of sins. This imparting of the Spirit by the imposition of hands confers the exact same Gift of God: the Holy Spirit that was released in all its wonder on the day of Pentecost. These two sacraments along with the sacrament of Eucharist comprise the initiation rites of candidates into the Catholic faith.
We reflect today then on our own incorporation into Christ: the day of our Baptism, the day of our Confirmation, and our daily bread available every day at Mass, which began on the day of our First Communion. And we give thanks to God for loving us and gifting us so!
In the gospel passage – shortly before his Passion – Jesus bestows peace on his disciples encouraging them to remain steadfast regardless of what the world may do to them – just as he will conquer the world by remaining faithful to his Father's will. In the Father's will is our peace as well!
This day may we make use of all of the graces that God gives us to remain in his love and to convey that love to others!
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