Ascension and Longing for the Holy Spirit

Jesus ascends into heaven, leaving behind his disciples- at that moment “ they worshipped him, but some doubted” ( Mat 28: 17).  Richard Rohr, (OFM, American Priest and Writer) explains that Jesus has to go away  for us to experience what life is without  God, without God’s visible presence- a world full of doubts, uncertainty and emptiness. It is in that emptiness – God creates a longing within us.

It is often in  moments of trial and helplessness that we realise we  are powerless on our own.  We cannot sustain ourselves and we  need someone- someone greater and God comes to us. Richard Rohr says, God does not come where He is neither desired nor invited.   It is when we long for God, we are filled with His presence.

What are we waiting for?

When the day of Pentecost came, the disciples gathered together in the upper room- they had experienced the absence of Christ; they had reached a point when they knew they were powerless without Jesus. They were longing for God. They desired and invited God into their lives- they waited and longed for the Spirit to empower them and sustain them

Do we desire God the same way?

Do we truly long for the Holy Spirit to fill our lives?

Let us invoke the Holy Spirit to fill our longing- the emptiness, the doubts and our weakness. Ask the Holy Spirit to come fill us , strengthen us, inspire us, guide us and transform us. (SR)

Holy Spirit Prayer of Saint Augustine
Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit,
That my thoughts may all be holy.
Act in me, O Holy Spirit,
That my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit,
That I love but what is holy.
Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit,
To defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit,
That I always may be holy