The Holy Catholic Church celebrates the Solemnity of Pentecost. Every Catholic man can grow in happiness by persistently seeking the Gifts of the Spirit from the Holy Spirit so he grow in holiness and by seeking the Fruits of the Spirit from the Spirit so he can grow in happiness.
Liturgy
7th Week of Easter – Vigil Mass for Pentecost – Jn 7:37-39
Commentary
Knowing the Jewish leadership is plotting to kill Him, Jesus travels to Jerusalem in secret for the Feast of the Tabernacles, a mandatory Jewish feast (Lev 23:33-43). Jesus will provocatively use the Jewish water ritual to reveal He is the one from Who the “living water” of the Spirit will flow.
The Jews celebrated the fulfillment of God’s promise to enter the Promised Land, a land which gave abundant water compared to the arid desert. Jesus, unafraid of the Jewish leadership’s attempts to arrest and kill Him (Jn 7:32), proclaims He is the source of living waters that will quench men’s souls. Jesus’ revelation is a divine synthesis of multiple prophecies: the life-giving waters of Eden (Gen 2:10-14); the new temple from which healing waters will flow (Ezek 47:1-12); when God is recognized as King over all the earth, fresh water will flow from Jerusalem (Zech 14:8-9).
John, who stood at the foot of the Cross with the Blessed Virgin Mary, offers insight into Jesus’ prophetic words. John reveals Jesus’ promise of “rivers of living water will flow from within him” is a prophecy of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon believers in Jesus. As Jesus reveals, those who are baptized are reborn in “water and Spirit” (Jn 3:5), allowing men to become adopted sons of God; the Holy Spirit will be sent by Jesus to all who believe after His Ascension at Pentecost (Act 2:1-13).
Be awed by Jesus Christ
Be astounded by Jesus the Divine Prophet: the perfection of Fortitude, Jesus courageously goes to Jerusalem and provocatively confronts those committed to kill Him and reveals Truth (a part of Justice); He inspires great prophets of the far past (Moses, Ezekiel, Zechariah) to use precise words (life-giving and healing waters) to prophesize of Jesus’ coming as the Messiah; He predicts the future events of the coming and indwelling of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and in Baptism in words which continue to resonate in the hearts of men.
Fervently pray to receive the Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Realize: The beautiful Feast of Pentecost reminds every Catholic man that the constant help of the Holy Spirit, through His Gifts, is necessary for salvation; no Catholic man can become a saint and be received into Heaven without the Spirit.
Believe: Reflect upon the vow of the Creed, “I believe in the Holy Spirit” (CCC 687-747), the Holy Spirit and the Church (CCC 731-747), and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit (CCC 1830-1831).
Pray: Holy Spirit, give me all of Your Gifts of the Spirit (Fear of the Lord, Piety, Knowledge, Fortitude, Counsel, Understanding and Wisdom) so that I can one day become a saint and be received into Heaven.
Grow in happiness through the Fruits of the Holy Spirit
Realize: Every man wants to be happy but finds many sources of turmoil in his life: restlessness, confusion, loss of purpose, sinful desires, illness, broken relationships, financial hardship, lack of physical safety; every Catholic man who seeks Christ receives the Fruits of the Spirit to not only endure turmoils that break other men, but find the true happiness of loving God and others.
Believe: Reflect upon how the Holy Spirit Comes to your Aid (CCC 2670-2672, 2681) and the Fruits of the Holy Spirit (CCC 1832).
Pray: Holy Spirit, give me all Your Fruits (Peace, Love, Joy, Patience, Kindness, Generosity, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-control, Forbearance, Modesty, Chastity) so I find happiness even in turmoil and vibrantly love the Blessed Trinity and all the beautiful souls You bring into my life.