The Holy Spirit keeps gently but relentlessly brooding over His people generation after generation—renewing, bringing fresh fire, refreshing, anointing, empowering and transforming the Body of Christ toward maturity. He may want to blow differently in different cultures and levels of society and under different political and socio-economic circumstances. More than forty years ago the renewal winds first swept into the Catholic Church in a unique way in our generation. Let us welcome His possibly surprising new directions in this new millennium and follow Him in eager obedience without fear.
Pope John Paul II urged the Church to “bring to life that ‘culture of Pentecost’ that alone can make fruitful the civilization of love and friendly co-existence among peoples. With fervent insistence, never tire of praying ‘Come, Holy Spirit! Come! Come!’”
Do we dare join John Paul the Great in his supplication, “Veni Sancte Spiritus” and accept the Spirit’s Fresh Fire? Will we open our hearts to make it personal?
FRESH FIRE
Leona Choy
Come, Holy Spirit
descend on me with FRESH FIRE
flames of Pentecost, tongues of FIRE
fall upon and fill me
renew my stony heart to flesh
purify my soul
burn away the dross of self.
O Holy Spirit of God
Light Your Church AFIRE
transform us to burning bushes
yet not consumed, living sacrifices
touch our lips with glowing coals until
we are fully possessed by You
to speak holy words, think holy thoughts
We see reflected in Your holy FIRE
the brilliance of Your Manifest Presence
let the flames of Your searing love
blaze fiercely on the altars of our hearts
never quenched, never diminished
a perpetual sacrifice of praise
as fragrant incense rising to God’s throne.
O Spirit, impart to me a burning heart
as I walk with Christ on my Emmaus road
fan the embers of my passion
back to “first love” intensity.
O Spirit, endue Your Church with holy power
to spread Your FIRE abroad
and ignite the Final Harvest Fields ablaze
to rescue rebellious mankind
from the kingdom of darkness
to Your brilliant kingdom of light
by Your uncommon FIRE!
*****
Excerpt from a chapter titled WIND POWER
in Leona's work-in-progress:
"ADVENTURES IN THE LAND OF MORE"
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