We offer a program of formation and catechesis called "All Hearts Afire." But have you ever asked yourself what sort of fire is supposed to burn within?
The answer, of course, is the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity who descended upon the new Church at Pentecost as tongues of fire (see Acts 2:1-4). When he dwells within our hearts, making us temples of the Holy Spirit (see 1 Cor 16:19-20), then we have within us the Spirit of Sonship (see Rom 8:15), the divine life and love.
For this, Jesus came to earth. For this, he ascended into heaven. Jesus said, "But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you" (Jn 16:7).
He left, and drew us up with him into the eternal communion of the Trinitarian Persons. That is why he said, "I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!" (Lk 12:49) He longed for us all to be members of the one family, the one household of God (Eph 2:19; 1 Tim 3:15), as Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC, explains in The 'One Thing' is Three.
On May 24, the Church celebrates the feast of Pentecost. Let us ask the Blessed Virgin Mary to intercede for us that her spouse, the Holy Spirit, may descend upon us and remain with us forever. May we become truly enflamed with the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, strengthened by grace and charism so that we may be light in a darkening world.
