In our Gospel today, Jesus is preparing the Apostles for a future without Him physically present in their midst. He is going to die for them. But He makes the promise that they will not be alone. He promises the gift of his very Spirit, the Holy Spirit from His Father. However he prefaces this by reminding them about receiving and keeping the word alive within themselves. Jesus talks about making a dwelling place for the word. This has echoes in the Liturgy when we say the communion invitation response. “Lord I am not worthy to receive you under my roof…” These are of course the words of the Centurion whose daughter he begs Jesus to cure. They are also reminders of this indwelling of the word and of our nature through baptism to be a Temple for this promised Holy Spirit. (Temples have roofs!). God indwells within us, there’s no getting away from Him! So, in this latter part of the Easter season, avail yourselves of the time to prepare for the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost after our Lord ascends to his glory. It is only by being open to the Holy Spirit of the Word of God sent from the Father that we might in our turn hope to ascend to our glory when our time comes.
Please pray for our 1st Holy Communion children and our Confirmation Candidates who will receive their sacraments on the 7th and 14th of May respectively.
It was wonderful to see so many at the Mass and picnic in Pioneer Park last Sunday and the joy it brought to the parish to honor Deacon Doug and Natalie his wife. None of us will forget Doug’s own romantic gesture of the corsage he gave to his loving and supportive wife! Thanks to the Knights for the excellent food and to the youth group volunteers for serving, and for all who prepared and ministered the Mass, most memorable. A Great Day!
God bless you, your families, and the week ahead.
May God bless you, your families, and the week ahead,
Fr Aidan Peter
