Fr. Leo, wearing the red vestments to represent the Holy Spirit, welcomed us back to school with our Mass of the Holy Spirit on Friday. With the support of the seventh grade class who planned and led the prayer, the staff, students, and parents of Corpus Christi School gathered to celebrate. Fr. Leo reminded us that the Holy Spirit is like the heart. Our bodies work because our hearts support every other part of us. Our souls and relationships with God are supported by the Holy Spirit.
Yesterday, Pope Francis addressed a general audience in St. Peter’s square speaking of enthusiasm, utopias, and dreams. The Pope spoke of the path “which leads to that sacred fire that he has lit once and for all.” Jesus called his disciples to find what they were looking for. In Vatican City this week, Pope Francis calls on everyone to seek what we are looking for in our hearts.
These messages of hope and the power of the Holy Spirit work wonderfully in tandem for those of us at the beginning of a new year of learning. Whether you are a nervous parent hoping for every good thing for your child, or a teacher filled with hope for all of those bright faces staring at you in expectation, it is a fine bit of sanity to draw on these messages.
We can all benefit from the example of youthful enthusiasm evident in the very kids we are here to serve. They are full of joy. If we approach our worries and trials with a joyful heart, and choose not to “listen to the ‘elderly’ of heart who suffocate youthful euphoria,” we open ourselves up to the Holy Spirit.
As we begin this new year of learning and hoping, we ask for the same thing Pope Francis asked. We “invite everyone to assume a respectful and reasonable attitude toward creation.”
Welcome back to school. After the long, (hot) weekend, it’s time for us to welcome the Holy Spirit into our hearts, and embrace our hopes, whatever they may be!