INSPIRE US TO BE WITNESSES

We will celebrate the great feast of Pentecost - the outpouring of the Holy Spirit - on the weekend of 4 and 5 June 2022. It is a time for us to focus on the seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit (Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Piety and Fear of the Lord - Isaiah 11:2-3) and the twelve Fruits of the Holy Spirit (Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness/Benignity, Goodness, Longanimity, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Modesty, Self-control and Chastity - Gal 5:22-23). Over the next few weeks, we will reflect and contemplate these Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit, as we journey together towards Pentecost.

In the interim, let’s take every opportunity to read prayerfully the ACTS OF THE APOSTLES for our own spiritual enrichment. The book discloses to us the workings of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles in preaching the Gospel, and how the power of the Holy Spirit inspired the lives of the early Church leaders – “You will be my witnesses,” (Acts 1: 8). The Holy Spirit challenges us to transform ourselves by listening and discerning more to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and to be witnesses of Jesus Christ, “for the life of the world,” (John 6: 51).

May is a month of the Rosary. A week has gone by, and the holidays are over, so it is time for us to get into the momentum of praying, especially by reciting the Rosary. Our BEC leaders and heads of families should take the initiative to gather everyone together and pray the rosary. As we pray to Mother Mary, let us imitate her most inspiring virtues – “she kept all these things and pondered them in her heart,” (Lk 2:19) and put them in practice. We pray through her intercession that we may become more courageous and grow in our Christian virtues.

 

In the first chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, we notice Mother Mary making the first novena to the Holy Spirit with the Apostles in the Upper Room. After ardent prayer and silence for nine days, the Holy Spirit descends upon Mary and the rest of the Apostles through tongues of fire. We cling to Mary firmly with our Rosary beads and pray that we grow in the Spirit of being obedient to God. Mary was so obedient to the will of God and fulfilled it without any hesitation or fear by bringing our Saviour into this world. She gave her heart and soul to raise Jesus. She is a great example for all of us, especially to all mothers in the world.

This weekend we celebrate Mother’s Day. We are grateful and thankful to all mothers, and we appreciate their tremendous love and care for us. Mothers are a blessing to our families. They make our homes happy, and they unite us as a family. This Mother’s Day we remember and emulate how Jesus honoured His mother. Jesus taught us to respect and honour our mothers and be responsible sons and daughters.

TO ALL MOTHERS – THANK YOU FOR MAKING US FEEL SO LOVED AND CARED FOR EVERY MOMENT OF OUR LIVES. HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!