.

TODAY’S WORD…

.

Jesus breathed on them

and said: “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

.

– John 20:22

.

.

.

REFLECTION…

.

The image of the Spirit as the very breath of God

is a powerful one. […]

.

Some refuse the Spirit

while others inhale Him gladly,

opening themselves up to God’s action,

through prayer and devotions,

through contemplation and reflection on the Christian mysteries,

through studying God’s Word.

.

.

.

QUOTE…

.

“This breathing of Jesus recalls God’s action

who, in the creation, ‘formed man out of the clay of the ground

and blew into his nostrils the breath of life,

and so man became a living being’ (Gen 2:7).

.

With His gesture,

Jesus indicates that the Holy Spirit is the divine breath

that gives life to the new creation

as He gave life to the first creation.”

.

– Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa

.

.

.

St. Augustine’s prayer to the Holy Spirit…

.

Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit,

That my thoughts may all be holy.

.

Act in me, O Holy Spirit,

That my work, too, may be holy.

.

Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit,

That I love but what is holy.

.

Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit,

To defend all that is holy.

.

Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit,

That I always may be holy.

.

Amen.

.