Prepare for the Spirit, Together and in Prayer

Have you ever wondered why we don’t have a liturgical season  that specifically leads to Pentecost? We have Advent to get ready for  Christmas. We have Lent to cleanse our hearts for Easter. Why not a  unique time to prepare ourselves for the indwelling of the Spirit and  the equipping for mission? 

Or do we? 

In today’s first reading, the apostles and the broader group of  Easter witnesses gather to pray. They are getting ready. They may not  have consciously realized it, but we can see it clearly in hindsight:  they are on another edge of time, the edge of some happening that is  about to be personally life-changing and historically world-changing.  They are getting ready for Pentecost. 

Change experts say that there are stages to prepare to make a  significant change that lasts. If you want to lose weight, first take  some time to analyze what you eat and when and why. Then plan  how to diet accordingly. If you intend to move to a new country,  take some time to learn the language and the customs and prepare  yourself mentally to make that radical shift. Enduring change  requires a time of preparation. 

God must be the original change expert. Wisely, Jesus did not  throw the disciples into mission right away. Luke says that he taught  them how to understand the scriptures. He repeatedly asked them  to pray and prepare. It will not be an easy task that he asks of  them. They will be persecuted. They will share in his sufferings. In  today’s Gospel, he prays for them to be one. He wants to make sure  that they have the tools needed to carry out the mission—both the  empowerment of the Spirit and the strength of community. 

Holy saints who have gone before us, pray for that for us as well. 

Consider/Discuss 

• Do we have the tools that we need to carry out Christ’s mission? Are we as  Holy Spirit–empowered as we need to be? Is our community strong? How  can we pray and plan to allow God’s revitalization to happen? 
• The Holy Spirit is often said to be the most “overlooked” member of the  Trinity, especially in the western Church. How can we liturgically elevate  the feast of Pentecost so that the Spirit’s empowerment and mission also get  their due?

Living and Praying the Word 

Spirit of the Living God, your church on earth needs you. Help us to do our part. We consecrate ourselves to you in whatever walk of life you have called us. Help us to devote ourselves to prayer for  the church and your fullness. You rushed in upon the disciples and  changed them into holy men and women. Rush upon us this week  too as we prepare our hearts for your feast.