The readings this week focus on the presence of the Spirit in the lives of the disciples. Pentecost itself is not an isolated feast day, but a Spirit to be lived every day. Let’s do our best to maintain that focus as we move through the weeks and months of ordinary time ahead. Let’s instead make it extraordinary time by living aloud the realization that God dwells within us, making all things new.

Look at the week ahead: What opportunities will you have to demonstrate, through your actions and words, the Spirit alive in you?  Go beyond attending church services or daily prayer if you can. Consider making this a Sunday ritual. As you plan the week, running from work to sports or music practice, to the grocery store, to the doctor, to school…to wherever life takes you…bring the Spirit along. Introduce her to everyone you meet!

Mon, Jun 9: When they entered the city they went to the upper room (Acts 1:12-14). Think about all the experiences and emotions the upper room holds for the disciples: the intimacy of the Last Supper; the sorrow, fear, and confusion of that Passover/Easter weekend; the sense of awe as they witness Jesus’ appearances; the comfort of community as they return after Jesus is taken from their sight. It calls to mind Jesus instructing us way back on Ash Wednesday about going to our “inner room” to pray (Mt 6:6).  Provision: What is your “upper room?” What is your “inner room?” I guess we could define our “upper room” as our lives and the myriads of experiences and emotions we encounter. Do you have a community with whom you share this “room?”  What if our upper room and inner room can become one and the same?  Reflect today on how your prayer and your life co-exist. What can you do to make your day-to-day life a prayer?

Tue, Jun 10: “As God is faithful, our word to you is not ‘yes’ and ‘no.’ For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was proclaimed to you by us… was not ‘yes’ and ‘no,’ but ‘yes’ has been in him” (2 Cor 1:18-22). “Paul, are you ok? You are sounding like some of our elected leaders.” The context explains what Paul is trying to convey, but on face value, it seems he needs a vacation! The Corinthians expect Paul to visit again, but the Spirit leads Paul on a different path. The folks in Corinth get huffy, so Paul wants them to understand he can’t always promise something if the Spirit says otherwise. But they are never to lose sight of the “Yes” of Jesus proclaimed to them. Provision: Discern the Spirit. In Saturday’s gospel, Jesus tells us: “Let your yes mean yes, and your no mean no.” How do we reconcile this? Both speak to the need to discern before making important commitments and decisions, understanding that it is the Spirit who guides us. We don’t want to fall into “analysis paralysis,” agonizing over every little decision, but it is wise to consider the impact our bigger decisions have on the future and the lives of others. Always ask for the Spirit’s guidance!

Wed, Jun 11: “I have come not to abolish [the law and the prophets] but to fulfill” (Mt 5:17-19).
Remember: this passage from Matthew follows directly on the heels of the beatitudes. As Christians, the beatitudes are just as, if not more, important than the commandments, in that they speak to what Jesus means about fulfilling the law: dependence on God, simplicity, self-sacrifice, working for justice and peace, showing mercy, standing up to those who, by their words and actions, take God’s name in vain. Provision: How do you live the commandments? The commandments can become a check-box approach to “faith”—the “Thou shalt nots”—so much so that we ignore the “Thou shalts.” Take time to pray with both the Ten Commandments and the beatitudes. Reflect on how these teachings intersect. Then, add in Mt 22:34-40, “the greatest commandment.” Love must be at the heart of all we do.

Thu, Jun 12: “The Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Cor 3:15-4:1, 3-6).
Provision: Not much I can add to this, so I invite you to meditate on this verse.  Use your intellect and memory. What does “the Lord is Spirit,” say to you? What are your images of the Spirit: a gentle dove, water, breath, fire? How do you imagine this Spirit works in your life? Recall times when you felt the Spirit move through you. Where in your life are you not free? Invite the Spirit to touch these places of bondage.

Fri, Jun 13: I said in my alarm, "No human is dependable" (Ps 116).  No mention of dogs, though. We know they are far more dependable than any human! Provision: Examine your expectations. Of course, we depend on other humans. It’s a fact of life. What we want to consider, though, is our expectations of those humans. Are they based in reality? Are they based on what we think is best? Are we forgiving of others when they don’t come through for us, knowing we too are not always dependable? This verse is not meant as a complaint about humanity. It is to remind us in whom we must place our trust.

Sat, Jun 14: “Whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come”
 (2 Cor 5:14-21). In his book, The Universal Christ, Richard Rohr, OFM, present-day mystic and prophet, humorously entitles his first chapter, “Christ is not Jesus’ Last Name.” He asks in the prologue, “What if ‘Christ’ is a name for the ‘transcendent within’ of every ‘thing ‘in the universe?” What is your opinion? Do you see “the Christ” as a static, historical figure or as an ever-changing Spirit? Provision: Be a new creation. A good bookend for this week. As you rise each day, consider how the Spirit is making you new.!