Carmel LIGHTS
By Sister Timothy Marie

Hush! The wind is whistling softly through the trees of our Sacred Heart Retreat House. Today is an exceptionally clear day in early May. This morning my eyes drank in the beauty of the delicate white clouds dancing across a perfectly blue sky. Just a few moment ago, the wind appeared out of nowhere. All of a sudden, it was just there – playful gusts shimmering across the landscape and that lovely wind-moaning echo which is my afternoon background music. As I think about the wind, I can’t help but remember how playful it is. Here it comes. There it goes. Up it climbs. Down it swirls. Yet, the wind itself can’t be seen, can it?

I find this very interesting because it reminds me of the Holy Spirit. Why? Scripture says, “The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from and where it is going” (John 3:8).

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together with one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them (Acts 2:1-4)

Like the Apostles, we, too, wait expectantly for the coming of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost is 50 days after Easter. 50 days of waiting and preparing. In the upper room of our souls, let us wait as the apostles did, with our Blessed Mother . . .

Silently…

Patiently…

Expectantly…


Veni Sancte Spiritus

Come, O Holy Spirit, come!
From your bright and blissful Home
Rays of healing light impart.

Come, Father of the poor,
Source of gifts that will endure
Light of ev’ry human heart.

You, of all consolers best,
Of the soul, most kindly Guest,
Quick’ning courage do bestow.

 In hard labor You are rest,
In the heat You refresh best,
And solace give in our woe.

O most blessed Light divine,
Let Your radiance in us shine,
And our inmost being fill.

 Nothing good by man is thought,
Nothing right by him is wrought,
When he spurns Your gracious Will.

Cleanse our souls from sinful stain,
Lave our dryness with Your rain
Heal our wounds and mend our way.
 

Bend the stubborn heart and will,
Melt the frozen, warm the chill,
Guide the steps that go astray.
 

On the faithful who in You,
Trust with childlike piety,
Deign your sevenfold gift to send.

Give them virtue’s rich increase,
Saving grace to die in peace,
Give them joys that never end. Amen. Alleluia.

And the Easter Season concludes on the Solemnity of Pentecost.

Amen. Alleluia.