Psalm 104

Have you ever met a “nay-sayer?” A “nay-sayer” is one of those people who go around raining on everyone’s parade. No matter how happy and enthusiastic you may feel when you meet this kind of person; no matter how optimistic you are; the nay-sayer will find some reason to pop your balloon. You will leave the company of a “nay-sayer” full of confusion and perhaps a bit of sadness.

The Holy Spirit is the opposite of a “nay-sayer.” Whenever we are in contact with the Holy Spirit we feel buoyant, optimistic and full of enthusiasm. The Spirit gives vitality to our lives; it breathes into the lives of the faithful a sense of inner joy and enthusiasm for the gospel.

With the coming of the Holy Spirit, our lives could never be the same. The Holy Spirit brings not only virtues like peace and patience into our lives but joy as well. Why is Christianity a joyful way to live? Why do we call our message the gospel or the good news? The answer is so simple and so obvious that we often overlook it. Jesus taught us that we are the children of His Father. That’s right, we are God’s own children. We are loved by Him just as any good parent loves his or her children. Once we understand that, why be sad? This does not mean that we are free from suffering and disappointment. It does mean that no suffering or disappointment should be so great as to rob us of our inner joy.

When the Holy Spirit dwells in you, He gives you a mission. It is the same mission Jesus had given earlier–to share the good news with all people.

Sometimes we think that this means we must send missionaries to foreign lands to convert the unbelievers; to offer them the good news. True as that is, there is more to it. There are people in our own neighborhoods who will never hear the news unless you and I tell it to them. We have just as much of a mission as the first disciples of Jesus to spread the good news; in our neighborhoods and in our society.

Come Holy Spirit, fill us with the good news of your presence.

Fr. Hugh Duffy

* * * Do not miss tomorrow’s blog on Renewal * * *