Pentecost is celebrated to remember the day that the Holy Spirit rained down on the Apostles in the form of flames, and they were filled with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
There are many different gifts, but it is always the same Spirit;
there are many different ways of serving, but it is always the same Lord. There are many different forms of activity, but in everybody it is the same God who is at work in them all. The particular manifestation of the Spirit granted to each one is to be used for the general good.
There are seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, knowledge, fortitude, piety, and fear of the Lord. As Catholics, we receive the Gifts of the Holy Spirit at Confirmation. When I was fifteen, and about to be confirmed, all I thought was that I would immediately become wise. It doesn't quite work like that, but I can say that over the years, the more I've committed to God, the more I've allowed the Spirit into my heart, I have become more wise. But I also understand more, and have become more pious and have more awe for my Lord God.
First Corinthians, chapter 12, we are told by St. Paul that the Spirit will affect us all differently. And I agree, the Spirit will work differently in all of us. The Spirit pushes and encourages us, gently guiding us down the path that we were meant to walk.
So, Pentecost isn't just a "Happy Birthday!" to the Church, it's a "Happy Birthday!" to all of us, because we are reborn in the Church on this day.
Happy birthday, and totus tuus,
LeAnn
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