Today is one of the principal Feasts of the Church – celebrating the gift of the Holy Spirit to the Apostles, and to all of us. What an extraordinary effect the Spirit had on the Apostles! They were no longer afraid, huddled behind closed doors. Threats of prison, torture and death, in no way intimidated them. With the gift of the Spirit, their one desire was to share their knowledge, and experience of Jesus.
To live in the Spirit is not to be a killjoy. No-one should be more joyous, happier, more liberated, than one who lives in the Spirit. In other words, we have been called to be children of God-to be like him in living our lives. It is the Spirit who helps us in our commitment to truth, love, justice and freedom. We radiate the Spirit by word and example. Through our everyday lives, the Spirit of the Lord fills the whole world.