​The readings this Sunday remind me to be open to invitations.  God calls us continually to discipleship and always allows us the freedom to respond.
I think about some of the invitations I’ve received in my life – both big and small.  I’ve not always been courageous enough to respond.  When I let fear or my inability to trust get in the way, I miss out on the gifts being offered.  I think we can all be a little like the disciple who says “let me take care of this one thing first.”  We will never get it perfect and Jesus doesn’t expect that of us.  We are called to trust that if there is an invitation we will be given what we need to not only respond, but to be the presence of God to those around us.  If we accept Jesus’ invitation to discipleship, we are gifted with the Spirit - a spirit of courage, openness, love and truth.
This week I want to be open to the invitations to:  take in the beauty of creation and work to protect our environment; to see the good in everyone, even those who disturb me; to heal a relationship and trust that God is at work moving us all toward love, and to invite others to hear God’s call in their lives. 
“Follow me” comes in all kinds of ways each day – will we respond and be God’s presence and peace?

   When the crowd gathering around Jesus was growing hungry, the disciples asked Jesus to disperse them.  Instead, he told them “Give them some food yourselves”.
    Sometimes, God asks of us the seemingly impossible:  to forgive others, to forgive ourselves, to find a way to help those in need when we ourselves are in need,  or to find a way with a problem that has no obvious solutions. To give when we believe we have nothing left to give.
   Because Jesus asked, the apostles believed that Jesus could make the difference.  And they did what He asked.  And He made the difference between what they could do and He could do.
   What tasks have I done in the post believing that Jesus will make a difference between what I am able to do and what is required? What have I seen others do in this regard?  Am I willing to face the ordinary problems of each day or take some big risk by believing that, in faith, that Jesus will be with me and guide me?  
   As we receive the body of Christ in the Eucharist, let us ask that we may grow in faith and give ourselves to the needs of others.  Let us believe that Jesus asks us to “Give them some food yourselves”.
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I have much more to tell, but you could not bear it now.
But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth.
                                                                                        John 16:12-15
The journey of faith and truth cannot come all at once. We could not bear it.  Because with faith and truth comes great power. We can all think of times when someone took that power and used it to lead many people astray.
Jim Jones led many down a very dark path that ended in suicide. His understanding was tainted by his wish for power and control. He could not bear it.
It takes a very long time to understand that our will can always be tainted, but if we search for God’s will then over time, we can use that power for the right things.
We can heal the sick. Our care and compassion can heal hearts and spirits like no other medicine.
We can raise the dead. My father has been gone for almost 28 years, yet his spirit and strength are with me today.
We can get discouraged at how slow the faith and truth come to us, but we must always remember the journey is our lifetime, so as long as we are here we can help each other along on our search.

This Sunday we celebrate Pentecost and Jesus’ promised gift of the Holy Spirit. In the first reading (Acts 2:1-11) the apostles are gathered in an upper room in Jerusalem “waiting for power from on high” as Jesus had directed them before he ascended into heaven. They were most likely praying together for comfort as they waited, when suddenly the Spirit descended upon them, filling them with courage and zeal to go out and share Christ and his message with the whole world. The Church is born!
 
In today’s gospel (John 20:19-23), we revisit an earlier time when the apostles were cloistered together in a room in Jerusalem, but that time it was because they were broken hearted and afraid they too might be killed for having followed Jesus. This time it is the Risen Christ who burst into their cramped inner space, offering them peace and forgiveness. Rather than being condemned, they were given new life and responsibilities: “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” Then he breathed the Holy Spirit into them and commissioned them to pass this peace forward by forgiving the sins of others. Priests carry this gift on in a powerful way through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, but we are all called to witness to God’s unfathomable mercy and love for each and every one of us.
 
How do I promote peace in our world? Do I open myself up to the life changing love of the Holy Spirit through regular prayer, the sacraments, and service to others? Who right now most needs my love and forgiveness to be set free from shame and fear?
 
“Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful!”
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