Pondering Pentecost

I’ve maintained a fairly secular tone so far in #blogjune.  However, I cannot deny the fire of faith that burns within me.  Especially not this weekend.

I have just come from attending Mass.  This Sunday is the Feast of Pentecost. Yes, I know today is Saturday. The Mass celebrated on the Saturday evening is the Vigil Mass for the Sunday that follows.

Anyway, I love Pentecost! It is essentially the Feast of the Holy Spirit.  It occurs 50 days after Easter. (Coincidently, I still have some chocolate bunnies which I have only just started devouring.)

I have fond memories of Pentecost from year to year.  I recall reading the second reading at a youth Mass for Pentecost 1994 (or was it 1993?).  The words that fell from my lips still burn in my heart.  That Pentecost was a big one for me.  It was the first time I ever wore trousers in the sanctuary.  It was a really big deal for me.  I can still feel the guilt in the pit of my stomach for wearing “men’s clothes” as I proclaimed the Word of God!  After Mass that night, I broke up with my then boyfriend.  At that time in my life I felt that I was called to religious life.  Clearly, I did not stay to that path.

Another Pentecost that holds a special place in my heart is Pentecost 2007.  I was on honeymoon and we went to Mass at Sacred Heart Church in Beverly Hills, California. At the end of Mass, we were all handed a “Gift of the Spirit” on a piece of red cardboard in the shape of a flame.  I was given Courage.

I won’t go on much more about this but I just wanted to tell you the Seven Gifts of the Spirit.  At certain moments in my life I pray for these gifts.

• Wisdom
• Understanding
• Right Judgement
• Courage
• Knowledge
• Reverence
• Wonder and Awe of God

I hope I have not come across to preachy in this but I have the courage of my convictions and I am not afraid of expressing my beliefs.  At no point have I asked readers of this blog to join me.  I simply state what I believe.  No more, no less.

Now for something completely different, IT’SSSSsssssss…………………………

Musical Challenge!!!!!!!

In deference to the 7 Gifts of the Spirit and because some people have expressed disappointment in not getting to the Musical Challenge quick enough, I bring you SEVEN SONGS!!!!

Search engines are banned. You are limited to answering only ONE song.  So we should have SEVEN different winners!

Song 1:

The record store is where you belong

Song 2:

There is a lady all in white,
Holds me and sings a lullaby

Song 3:

Come on now, people, make a stand

Song 4:

So where were the spiders
while the fly tried to break our balls

Song 5:

I knew her smile in an instant
I knew the curve of her face

Song 6:

Out from the kitchen to the bedroom to the hallway
Your friend apologizes, he could see it my way
He let the contents of the bottle do the thinking
Can’t shake the devil’s hand and say you’re only kidding

Song 7:

There’s a million angry citizens
Looking down their tubes at me

After all that I can only say GOOD LUCK!!!!