7th Sunday Easter year A 2023 Jn 20, 19 -23
After the Ascension, the apostles and disciples spent much of their time in prayer. They had entered into another Advent Prayer, a wating for God; in this case the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit who will return to renew our lives next week.
Prayer is important in so many ways. One can think that the disciples were praying to be ready to receive the Spirit and recognise his(her) arrival when he comes. It would have been a prayer with many questions. What will happen? What kind of truth will be opened to me? Will I have the courage to respond? What is the best way to preach the Good News Jesus wants me to convey? I only speak one language? And many more.
We now have a short time to reflect on what help, guidance, challenge, renewal and wisdom we hope the Holy Spirit will bring to each of us.
John Henry Newman wrote a magnificent hymn to the Holy Spirit. Here is another one written by Bill Gathers:
Come as a wisdom to children.
Come as new sight to the blind.
Come, Lord, as strength to my weakness.
Take me soul, body and mind.
Come as a rest to the weary.
Come as a balm to the sore.
Come as a dew to my dryness.
Fill me with joy evermore.
Come Holy Spirit, I need you now.
Come, Sweet Spirit, I pray.
Come in your strength and your power.
Come in your own gentle way.
Come like a spring in the desert.
Come to the withered of soul.
O, let your sweet healing power
touch me and make me whole.
Come Holy Spirit, I need you now.
Come, Sweet Spirit, I pray.
Come in your strength and your power.
Come in your own gentle way.
Come in your own gentle way!
Fr Thomas O'BRIEN a.a
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