"GOD'S SURPRISES"

Let us ask ourselves today: Are we open to "God's surprises"? Or are we closed and fearful before the newness of the Holy Spirit? Do we have the courage to strike out along the new paths which God's newness sets before us, or do we resist, barricaded in transient structures which have lost their capacity for openness to what is new? We would do well to ask ourselves these questions all through the day.

"THE SPIRIT OF UNITY"

... The Holy Spirit would appear to create disorder in the Church, since He brings the diversity of charisms and gifts; yet all this, by His working, is a great source of wealth, for the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of unity, which does not mean uniformity, but which leads everything back to harmony.

NOT A CONFLICT

... If we let ourselves be guided by the Spirit, richness, variety and diversity never become a source of conflict, because He impels us to experience variety within the communion of the Church. Journeying together in the Church, under the guidance of her pastors who possess a special charism and ministry, is a sign of the working of the Holy Spirit.

"VERY DANGEROUS!"

Having a sense of the Church is something fundamental for every Christian, every community and every movement. It is the Church which brings Christ to me and me to Christ; parallel journeys are very dangerous!

ASK YOURSELF

... Let us ask ourselves: Am I open to the harmony of the Holy Spirit, overcoming every form of exclusivity? Do I let myself be guided by Him, living in the Church and with the Church?

"OPEN THE DOORS"

The Holy Spirit draws us into the mystery of the living God and saves us from the threat of a Church which is gnostic and self-referential, closed in on herself; He impels us to open the doors and go forth to proclaim and bear witness to the good news of the Gospel, to communicate the joy of faith, the encounter with Christ.

PENTECOST IS NOW

The Holy Spirit is the soul of mission. The events that took place in Jerusalem almost two thousand years ago are not something far removed from us; they are events which affect us and become a lived experience in each of us.

"TAKE TO THE STREETS"

It is the ... Spirit ... Who grant us the courage to take to the streets of the world, bringing the Gospel! The Holy Spirit makes us look to the horizon and drives us to the very outskirts of existence in order to proclaim life in Jesus Christ. Let us ask ourselves: do we tend to stay closed in on ourselves, on our group, or do we let the Holy Spirit open us to mission?

(Source: Homily, Mass with ecclesial movements, Pentecost Sunday, 5/19/2013)