Open Roads

About five weeks ago, pro-Palestinian demonstrators blocked the Golden Gate Bridge in California. There, and on other roads, traffic was stopped and, no matter where the vehicles were heading, the safety and wellbeing of drivers and passengers was not considered by the demonstrators. Similar instances have been reported lately in different locations.

Roadblocks! All of us can have spiritual roadblocks that become habitual and even accepted as just the way life is. Maybe we should consider our own roadblocks to holiness, especially because yesterday we celebrated the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

On this feast, we pray the prayer: Veni, Sancte Spiritus; we ask the Spirit to shine in us. How might we prevent that shining? In our spiritual lives, we need to keep vibrant and not dull. That does not mean we have to spend every day in deep, contemplative prayer. Small conversations, little spontaneous prayers to the Lord are ways to keep an “open line” with our Power Source.

We call the Spirit “Sweet refreshment” and “Grateful coolness,” and what is required of us to receive that refreshment and coolness is our open awareness of the Spirit’s presence. We need to avoid the roadblocks of superfluous distraction and lazy habits. Little prejudices can develop over the years; they get in the way of new loving shortcuts to holiness. Pray and ask the Spirit to get us over the hurdles! Awareness is truly essential. Let’s wake up! Maybe squeeze in an extra weekday attendance at Mass, or pray the Veni, Sancte Spiritus once a day instead of once a year! Not only clear the road but repave it!

The Holy Spirit can give us new strength, new healing, virtue, and forgiveness. We ask for joys that never end, but we have to clear the way, do some of the work!

After he rose from the dead, Jesus came to the apostles in the upper room, and the first thing he offered them was peace. We could try to bring peace to ourselves and others when we make an entrance into each new day and each new experience. We can pray and ask the Holy Spirit to inspire us with a gentle word to say, a kind smile to display, or maybe an optimistic hug to offer.

Today is the feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. We are the church! Mary is our Blessed Mother! Invite Mary to walk with us and ask her to pray that our hearts and minds can be opened more to the loving paths that the Holy Spirit offers us.

  ✝️✝️✝️

Photograph by Yoal Desurmont on Unsplash

Sharon Krause is a RENEW volunteer whose writing has appeared in several resources for small-group faith sharing. She is a wife, mother, and grandmother residing in Royal Palm Beach, Florida. Over the years, she has served in many parish ministries.