Anyone who is a parent will relate to this story. It was supper time. My wife Pam was working, and I was home with our three children. It was not going well. I had had a very difficult day at work. The car needed repair to pass inspection, which we could not afford. I was trying to make something more nutritious than macaroni and cheese for supper. To be honest, we were having trouble making ends meet so I was working two jobs.

That evening, as I gave our youngest a bottle, I was stressed to the point of tears. I didn’t know if I had it in me.

Then from the next room I heard our five-year-old daughter repeating a phrase over and over in a sing song voice. I realized that she was singing “The Spirit of God, the Spirit of God”. She came into the room where I was feeding her little brother. ‘There you are’ she said. ‘Will you read me the story about the Spirit of God?’  

In that moment, I came to the realization that I did have it in me.  An epiphany struck me, revealing my inner strength to overcome not only that challenging evening but also the others to come. It was in that precise moment that the Holy Spirit manifested the gift of fortitude to me, granting me courage, guiding and teaching me just as Jesus had promised the Paraclete would. 

Something like that, but much greater, happened to the Apostles on the day of Pentecost.  The Spirit had already been present in their lives. It was through the Spirit’s power that the world was created. The Holy Spirit inspired Peter to say: “Where should we go Lord? You have the words of everlasting life” when so many disciples fell away because of Jesus’ teaching them that they must consume his flesh and blood. (John 6:68). It was the Holy Spirit that gave the Apostles faith in Jesus, and the Holy Spirit who called them back after they ran away in panic at the crucifixion. 

We have been fortunate to receive the teachings of the Holy Spirit throughout our lives. The Apostles however did not yet fully comprehend the actions and power of the Holy Spirit. On the day of Pentecost, the revelation of the Spirit manifested as a powerful wind and flames as of fire. 

The effect of this revelation of the Spirit was immediate. The Apostles gained understanding and fortitude. Fortitude to burst out of their locked room and the understanding, wisdom, knowledge, and piety to preach as they had never preached before, preaching about the Kingdom of God so powerfully that language was not necessary because each person heard the message in their hearts rather than with their ears. Thousands were converted that day. Not even the resurrection of Christ had this kind of effect on the Apostles. It took the revelation of the Holy Spirit to break them out of their fear and timidity. 

The story of Pentecost was not something that happened once. It is repeated, or rather it is an event that continues in an unbroken line through time to this very day and will continue until the end of time. The Spirit is constantly revealed in the lives of the baptized. It is the Spirit that gave the saints and martyrs, some of whom are depicted in these beautiful stained glass windows, fortitude and fear of the Lord. There are still martyrs being tortured and killed today for the faith and the Spirit is present there.  It is the Spirit that gives us the fortitude to piously worship here today when news of more and more terrible cases of past clerical abuse is uncovered. The Spirit emboldens the professed sisters and brothers and our talented teachers to work in our schools despite living in an increasingly post-Christian society. It is the spirit that calls us to pray and calls us to return to the right path when we go astray. 

The Spirit gives us strength in the small things as well. The small everyday events that add up to a great witness. The day to day living of our lives faithfully with hope in the Kingdom. The fortitude to carry on when we feel overwhelmed. The piety to infuse into our children love of God and of his Church. The wisdom to acknowledge our mistakes and seek peace in the forgiveness of sins. 

St. Paul was not present on the Day of Pentecost, which allows his understanding of the Spirit to resonate with us, who similarly did not experience firsthand that powerful revelation. In his writings, Paul emphasizes the existence of various spiritual gifts, all stemming from the same Spirit. Likewise, there are different forms of service, all stemming from the same Lord, and different workings, all originating from the same God (1 Cor 12). We should not be afraid that we missed our opportunity to witness the Spirit’s presence in our lives, or that only a select few are chosen to receive it. Nor should we believe that our actions can exclude us from the Spirit’s reach. It is a great comfort to remember that all have been granted the opportunity to partake in the Spirit’s divine essence.

Not many of us will have tongues as of fire appear over our heads. Not many will preach so powerfully that human language is not needed. Yet we all without doubt experience the Spirit. Perhaps it is in the sweet singing of a five-year-old child. Perhaps in the beauty of the liturgy, or in the quiet moments.  It is so easy to forget, or turn away, or allow darkness to come between us and the Spirit. The Spirit continually calls you back. It is not a question of if but when the Spirit will be revealed to you, not once or twice in your life but many times. Jesus told us the Spirit will teach you all things. Open yourself to the Spirit’s teaching.