Weekly Readings Reflections: Pentecost

Our readings for Pentecost Sunday of Easter are:

Pentecost was a transformation. The Spirit transformed a band of confused and fearful followers of Jesus into focused, and courageous apostles who set out to transform the world around them. Sometimes, it's hard to believe that that call is still there, or that it applies to all of us.
How are you making the world a better place?
Are you more effective at that than someone in your position who doesn't know Jesus?
Where is God transforming you lately?
Where would you like for God to transform you?

Renewal should be an ongoing process, rather than a tectonic upheaval that ambushes us at seemingly unpredictable times. Renewal draws us into reevaluation of our faith practices to make sure that they are still relevant to the challenges facing us in the moment, and still a reflection of our core principles.
Where do you see renewal in our Church?
Where do you see renewal in our parish?
Where do you see renewal in your family?
Your own life?

I once recommended to a directee that he build a spiritual resume. List his experience as a Catholic, where he felt that God had met him in particularly palpable ways, ministries that he had participated in, places in his life where he felt that he had made a difference, and finish it off with a summary of the position in God's kingdom that he was looking to fill.
What would you put into such a resume?
What do you think that God has prepared you for?
Does any of that sound exciting?
Do you think that you'll be surprised by what God leads you into in the years ahead?
How does that make you feel?

Peace can be an elusive quality in life, particularly when there are multiple forces all clamoring for our attention, all urgent, none of them willing to take a back burner.
Why do you value peace?
What happens to you/in you when you are not at peace?
How do you achieve piece?
Do you think that you can make a habit of peace?
If peace can be defined as "harmony between God's will in your life and your actions", do you think that it's possible to achieve such peace more and more in your life?
Is stress the opposite of peace?

Planting the trees

The special auger truck pulled up in front of my house one day.

Carefully positioned the giant bit, and dug a perfect hole in just the right spot.

A few hours later, another crew came and filled in each hole, and left.

I caught up to one of the crews filling in the holes, and asked the obvious question.

They told me that the guy who puts the trees into the holes had called out sick that day.

I never seemed to fit in anywhere when I was a youngster.

I envied superheroes that had unique and valued powers.

Not so much because I wanted to be a hero,

But because I wanted to be useful.

I wanted to always know my cue to march onto the stage, fulfill my destiny, and exit.

I figured that if I was particularly gifted at filling in holes,

Then every time I saw a hole, my calling would be evident.

I would fulfill my destiny by filling that baby to the brim, tamp it down,

And know that I had done what I was born for, come what may,

Without having to agonize over what I brought to the table that day.

I'm slowly getting better at this superhero thing.

Some days, my job is to go grab some trees and plant them before the holes gets filled.

Some days, my job is to get the crews making and filling the holes doing something else.

Some days, my job is to find someone else to plant the trees.

Some days, my job is to improve the scheduling system.

I don't have to be the best at anything anymore.

I think its more important that I show up on time, see the need in front of me, and meet it.

By whatever means the Spirit calls me to in the moment.

I don't have to be wildly successful anymore.

Just recklessly available, courageous in the face of uncertainty, humble before all else.

After all, no one likes a holier than thou attitude.

Shalom!

Weekly Readings Reflections