Scripture Excerpts
Acts 1 When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them a fire-y light to rest upon each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.
Psalm 104 Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
O LORD, my God, you are great indeed!
How manifold are your works, O LORD!
HOLY SPIRITED KINDNESS (A Pentecost story)
Today on Pentecost, this Feast of the Holy Spirit, we hear of the account of that momentous day when the Spirit was first outpoured on the many. It is in Acts 1. We hear from Psalm 104 of the blessings coming upon us on earth, having the prayer to say: “How manifold are your works, O Lord.”
I have a Beatitude story of a play some teens made that still sticks to my memory. I’d like to tell it, along then with a story of some Catholics doing some friendship evangelism on a Pentecost weekend that yielded a nice happening.
First, the teen play. The play was based on the 8 Beatitudes that are listed in the start of the Sermon on the Mount. Happy are the poor in spirit, the pure in heart, the peacemakers—and, well, I suppose you know the list. They performed this play on a retreat. They dressed in blue-and- gold, as well as in yellow-and-red striped shirts, and called themselves The BEE-attitudes. They each played one of the 8 Beatitudes, and explained how God’s Spirit helps us in a new attitude of life, to be, or to become—and thus, you live in a Bee Attitude. So they painted their faces yellow, and put a bobbing antennae over their head. They explained how their will had been touched by God’s grace to thirst more for righteousness or strengthened by God’s Spirit.
The lesson they are told, in a humorous way in their bee costumes and buzzing sounds, is still remembered today by me. The last bee said: I am the final BEE-attitude. Happy are they willing to suffer for the sake of good coming about it, even if it be with unjust persecution! Just BE AT IT, DUDE—Doing Good. No pain, no gain—but some loving, suffering for others is worth it. It makes them feel worth-while. And God is pleased with you. A big deal with God: A Beatitude.
Secondly, there is the story of the single-guy, driving home on north I-75 in his empty semi-truck. This big rig driver was still a long way from home, pulling off at an exit in Toledo, Ohio. He was heading home to Michigan. He had stopped off at a diner/gas station/ motel rest spot, to revive himself with a past-midnight coffee and a food grab, to sustain him in his return drive home past the Detroit area. The driver knew not how the Holy Spirit had a good surprise for him at the rest stop. The Walmart truck driver (that he was) gassed up the truck and then went over to the diner. It was closing for the night, with some customers readying to leave out the door–but the owners waved him in, saying, “We’ll stay open for you.” The other customers stayed on, too. He found out they were all Toledo “locals” and friends. He ordered himself a pot of coffee and two pieces of apple pie, and the local Toledo folks chatted with him. He said to them, ”I’m doing some late-night driving—10 hours straight so far in my truck out there—and I’ve got two hours left for home.” They noted his over-tired look. They wondered if he’d safely make it. Would the coffee trick be enough for him? They explained to this WalMart trucker that their group was meeting at the diner this late because they had just dismissed from church at an 11 p.m. Pentecost vigil “holy hour.” He asked what “Pentecost” was, and what a “holy hour” was. They explained it to him, and mentioned how the diner owners and these local friends all went to the Catholic church, which was just up the road from there. They talked a little more to the man, and said how they all were meeting again at the Noon Mass for Pentecost. Then the Toledo bunch gave him some privacy and they moved off to the back area for conversation. Fifteen minutes later, they saw that the driver had fallen asleep in his booth. Worrying for his trip home in that tired condition, they all pitched in and bought him a room at the next door hotel, woke him, and handed him the room keys, saying: ”Just show your ID to the desk clerk and you are good. All paid for.” Their offer was received warmly by him, the traveler. He asked them—“What had you all agree on doing such a nice thing for me?” They answered: “It’s the Catholic thing to do—and we’re all Catholic, and it’s the Church’s birthday. Consider it a birthday present! It has a late check out at 2 p.m. in case you need it.” He was excited for their generosity. He remarked: “All I can say is HOLY TOLEDO! There really is a Holy Toledo, like the expression!”
The next day, these Toledo-ans happened to see the rig driver in a side pew at their Noon Mass —as he was checking out their “Pentecost thing.” After watching the church goers do Communion, he figured the Mass was near over, and he gave his midnight friends a thumbs up, and he was out and on his way home to Michigan.
This story is an example of friendship evangelism and of witnessing to who you are in Christ. A holy light of inspiration and love comes upon you, and you seek the good of another in your company. It can be Holy Toledo! Or Holy Burtonsville!
### Don’t forget to pray to Our Lady during this month~
The Regina Caeli.
V. Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia. R. For He whom you did merit to bear, alleluia.
V. Has risen, as he said, alleluia. R. Pray for us to God, alleluia.
V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia. R. For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia. Let us pray. O God, who gave joy to the world through the resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, grant we beseech Thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.