The conclusion of the Gospel passage today is one which has been on my mind as I look to embark on a parish strategy of evangelization. I have heard many testimonies recently from people about their experience of the Holy Spirit. Jesus says: "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (Lk 11: 13) The key phrase to my mind is not what God is for we know from the Lord's Prayer that he is our Father. What is most striking is that we need to ask him! God does not force the Holy Spirit upon us. We need to make space in our lives and our prayer for the Holy Spirit and explicitly, trustingly and humbly ask for the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is that God will respond and so many people can testify to that. I challenge all parishioners to open their heart and indeed the whole of the being to the Holy Spirit and to make an act of faith in the same Spirit that descended upon the disciples at Pentecost.
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