Come, Holy Spirit, Set Our Hearts on Fire

06-08-2025Weekly ReflectionFr Augustine Acheme, VC

Pentecost is not just a commemoration of something that happened 2,000 years ago- it is a celebration of what continues to happen when the Spirit of God moves in the hearts of believers. On that first Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended not with whispers, but with wind and fire (Acts 2:1–11). The disciples, once locked in fear, were filled with courage. Their speech changed. Their mission began.

This same Spirit is alive today. As St. Paul reminds us, “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit… to each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit” (1 Cor 12:4, 7). You have been gifted. The Church is not built by a few, but by all of us- each uniquely filled with the Spirit to bless others, to proclaim Christ, and to renew the face of the earth.

In the Gospel, Jesus breathes on His disciples and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22). That breath- the very life of God- is a quiet but powerful act of renewal. It echoes Genesis, where God breathes life into Adam. Now, Jesus breathes new life into the Church. The mission is clear: forgive, heal, unite, proclaim. And the power to do it comes not from ourselves, but from the Holy Spirit.

We are not meant to be passive observers of the Spirit- we are meant to burn with Him. As the Sequence prays: “Melt the frozen, warm the chill, guide the steps that go astray.” Where do we need the Spirit’s fire in our lives? What part of us needs to be rekindled- our hope, our courage, our capacity to forgive?

St. Catherine of Siena once said, “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.” Pentecost is the spark that sends us out. Not to look inward, but outward. Not to keep the fire hidden, but to share its warmth with the world.

So today, don’t just remember Pentecost. Live it. Ask the Holy Spirit to fall afresh on you, your family, your parish, your dreams. Let His breath strengthen what feels weak. Let His fire burn away fear and hesitation. And let His gifts- wisdom, understanding, courage, love- overflow from your life into the lives of others.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of your love. Alleluia!

Fr Augustine Acheme, VC