Witnesses to presence of God among us

After the Resurrection, the apostles and disciples continued worshipping in the temple as they had before, but as they proclaimed the new life they now shared, they were viewed a disturbing the established order and were attacked. In fear, they retreated and hid.

Yet they were confident because Christ had promised them that He would send the Holy Spirit, the Comforter. And Holy Spirit came to them in a powerful wind and “tongues of fire” rested on each them. Embolden, they went forth again to preach that salvation had been gained for all.

Scripture scholars and theologians have identified seven gifts that the Holy Spirit bestows: Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Courage, Right Judgment, Reverence, and Fear or Wonder of the Lord.

These gifts are ours to help us understand our relationships with our family, with our friends and others, with our society, and with God and to nourish and develop these relationships. In a word, we have the ability to change who we are and the world around us.

We are called to be witnesses to the power of the presence of God in us and in our midst through our words and actions.