Brothers and Sisters,
I just wanted to post a quick note on the great feast of Pentecost. This is really the Called and Gifted1 feast day if there is one.
I was reflecting on my notes from the Damien Shayne Charism School2. There is something that he refers to as “tracking the Holy Spirit”.

The idea here is that if we examine Jesus’ ministry, we may be able to see some shortcomings in our approach and our effectiveness when comparing ourselves to Jesus. This need not necessarily be the case though.
“Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.” John 14:12
Stayne points out that we sometimes get stuck in a routine or a repetitive pattern. Jesus used many different approaches with people even when circumstances may have been very similar. He allowed the Spirit to guide him to use the most effective approach for that time and that situation. He also was tremendously sensitive to the person that he was ministering to. How many times do we fail to recognize who we are ministering to and what special considerations would make our ministry more effective. I am personally guilty of this one.
Tracking the Spirit is a fancy way of saying that if our actions are guided by the Holy Spirit, then we will be able to say the right things in each of the situations that we find ourselves in. If the Spirit is not telling us to do something, we are better off not doing it. As Stayne puts it, “we get in trouble when our output exceeds the Holy Spirit”.
Rom. 5:5 says, “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” The first thing that we need to be about is spreading the love of God, not trying to prove a point or win an argument. I am preaching to myself now.
Acts 1:8 says, “Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit,” Stayne says we have to start yielding to the Spirit. The question is do we want to be drunk or just a little tipsy? If we are drunk in the Spirit, we are no longer in control. Then we will be able to do the greater works that Jesus spoke of.
Most of all on this Pentecost, pray with the Church that we will be filled anew, to an even greater extent than we have before, with the love of God that will draw people to Him. With the Spirit leading and equipping us, we “… can do all things through Christ who strengthens…” us. (Phil 4:13)
Peace of Jesus,
Dave
1. A ministry of the Catherine of Siena Institute. https://siena.org/called-gifted
2. A ministry of Cor et Lumen Christi Community. http://www.coretlumenchristi.org/charism_school.php