Continuing to wait...with Mary

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Perhaps you are continuing to ponder that upper room where Mary and the other disciples waited in Jerusalem for the promised Holy Spirit, after the Ascension. Jesus had already breathed the Holy Spirit on the apostles as we read in John’s Gospel chapter 20, verses 21 - 23, when the Risen Jesus appeared to them, and said:

…Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, even so I send you. And when He said this He breathed on them and said to them: “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven, if you retain the sins of any, they are retained”

Nevertheless they had not yet received the power from on high which the Holy Spirit was to give them at Pentecost. Luke’s Gospel chapter 24, verse 49 gives us these words of Jesus:

And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high

Mary too had already received the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit at the Annunciation and had already been filled with Grace before the Angel came to her, but she too was to be given a new and special fullness of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. What about us? As we continue these days of waiting, let us ask the Father, Son and Holy Spirit to increase in us their Indwelling we received at our Baptism. Let us ask Our Mother to continue her intercession for us, that we may be open to receive all that the Holy Spirit is sent to give us and to work in us and through us.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your Faithful! Kindle in us the Fire of Your Love!
Mary, Mother of all, pray for us.