Holy Spirit, We Need You!

Fr. Jerry M. Orbos SVD

Philippine Daily Inquirer
12:23 AM May 15th, 2016

THE STORY is told that during the elections last week, there
was a contingency plan in case the supply of indelible ink ran
out: to use a hammer to hit the forefinger of each voter, in
order to leave a long-lasting mark.
***
Today is Pentecost Sunday, the birthday of our Mother
Church. It is the permanent presence and indwelling of the
Holy Spirit that gave birth and gives life to, and guarantees
that, the Church will survive and continue its mandate and
mission. May we recognize our need for the Holy Spirit
especially during our day and time.
***
Come, Holy Spirit, we need you! More than ever, we should
pray this much, and pray this more. We cannot, must not,
leave out the stirring and leading of the Holy Spirit in the
events that are unfolding in our midst right now. Let us not
be so caught up in human efforts and achievements to the
point of leaving out or belittling the divine. Let us not be
proud. Let us not be blinded by worldly power and
might. It has been said before, and we say it again:
Pride comes before the fall.
***
Now that the elections are over, we pray that the
elected officialsand the new administration, for that
matterwill really listen to and get directions and
instructions from a broad section of our society, and
not only from a privileged few. May they not be
narrow-minded or shallow-sighted, but use their mind
and sight deeply and widely for what is truly

beneficial for many. It is time to cast the net widely

over the waters.
***
Now, too, that the elections are over, what matters
most is what we have learned from it all. Elections
come and go, people win or lose, but what remains,
what is indelible, is how we did our best, how we did
not resort to foul play, and how we fought a good
fight.
***
Someone once said that in life, we should be busy
building, not walls, but bridges. It is time for healing.
It is time to extend our hands to one another, and
reach out toward unity and peace. Peace is the fruit
of the Holy Spirit dwelling in our hearts. Hatred,
revenge, pride and being unforgiving come from the
evil one.
***
The evil one scatters, the Holy Spirit gathers. Let us all pray
and work for unity and peace. How far easier it is to destroy
and divide. It is not easy to become an instrument of unity
and peace. It is not easy to stand for righteousness and
justice, and to proclaim Gospel truths in the dirty game
called politics. Congratulations to all those who did their
best, and to those who brought out the best in us. Whether
you won or lost, you still have our vote and respect.
***
To losers and winners alike in the last elections,
please remember that things happen or dont happen
for a reason, and for a mission. Thy will be done, Lord!
Let this be your constant prayer, your source of comfort and

inspiration. If we learn to surrender everything and everyone

to Gods heart, then peace will be ours, through the Holy
Spirit dwelling in our hearts.
***
Think about this: Never be ashamed of your scars. It
simply means that you were stronger, and that you
survived whatever hurt you.
***
Fr. Jun Ocampo, SVD, the chaplain of the Filipino community
in Berlin, Germany, is doing very good work for the Holy
Spirit as an instrument of unity and peace among our
overseas Filipino workers. But all of us, too, wherever we are
and in whatever situation we are in, should do our part to
spread goodness, peace and love in keeping with our Lords
mandate that we love one another. Yes, we need the Holy
Spirit to enlighten, guide and strengthen us to do our
mission. Please remember that life is short, death is certain,
and we have a final destinationheavenwhere there are
no more tears, no more sorrow, no more pain, no more
politics and no more goodbyes. Amen.
***
The Divine Word Institute for Mission Studies, located at the Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay
City, invites you to a seminar on June 5-15. The seminar is designed for parish priests and
their coworkers who are doing pastoral work in city parishes. The focus of the seminar is The
New Evangelization, particularly the modern forms of Areopagus. It is also intended for
students who are doing research for their thesis/dissertation on Mission in the City. For details,
you may contact Ms Suzette at 09234792989 or 09499523830, or e-mail
dwims.secretary@gmail.com.

***
A moment with the Lord:
Come, Holy Spirit, we need you. Rekindle in us the fire of
Your love, and revive in us whatever goodness that has died.
Amen.